UConn Professors Address Problem Gambling Among Undergraduates

Two professors from Connecticut, specifically at UConn, have emphasized the growing problem of gambling-related harm among undergraduates based on their recent comprehensive research. Eleni Rodis, the Managing Director of the Research Division at the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Wendy Ulaszek, an Associate Research Professor at the UConn School of Social Work, have found strong evidence that the increase in gambling activities is leading to higher levels of harm within the university community.

A survey conducted across 30 higher education institutions in Connecticut gathered feedback from 1,300 students to reach its findings. It revealed that 72% of those surveyed had engaged in gambling within the 12 months before the questionnaire. Researchers Rodis and Ulaszek discovered that 1% of the respondents had been diagnosed with a gambling disorder or had sought help for one. An additional 8% were identified as serious problem gamblers, according to an official press release summarizing the report's results. Furthermore, 17.2% of participants were classified as moderate-risk gamblers. The research aims to provide higher education institutions with tools to address gambling issues. One recommendation is for universities to increase awareness about problem gambling and to establish support groups and other helpful resources on campus. Rodis and Ulaszek also suggest that information on gambling risks should be included in freshman orientation packets, alongside issues like binge drinking, drug use, and unprotected sex. Rodis warns against viewing gambling solely as traditional activities like casino visits or playing roulette.

The landscape has shifted significantly, with Gen Z engaging in various forms of gambling, such as fantasy sports, cryptocurrency, and prediction markets that speculate on events like the next Pope, whether Taylor Swift will top the charts, or who will win the Nobel Peace Prize. This development is an important contribution to the field, as research on gambling-related harm, particularly among young people, is likely to inform stricter regulations aimed at addressing gaps in current legislation. This latest survey emerges amid a rise in searches for gambling addiction in the United States and the proposal of the SAFE Bet Act, which seeks to establish federal safeguards that require the industry to adhere to a code of conduct designed to enhance player protection.