The prevalence of problem and pathological gambling in a Canadian university student population

The prevalence of problem and pathological gambling is an ongoing concern in Canada, especially in recent years given the previously unprecedented access to legalized gambling. Various factors may put young adults, and university students in particular, at higher risk for having problems with gambling. In this study, 487 undergraduate students at the University of Manitoba completed a survey that included the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) as well as other socio-demographic and lifestyle information. Study findings included an overall prevalence rate of 10.4% (5.4% problem gambling and a further 5.0% probable pathological gambling), and male problem gambling prevalence rates that were significantly higher than female rates (16.5% and 4.3% respectively). Significant correlations were also found between gambling problems and a number of other factors including: problems with alcohol or drug use, having a parent who gambled too much, and having experienced emotional and/or verbal abuse. Given these high prevalence rates, it may be that increased efforts are needed to raise awareness and educate students about responsible gambling as well as where to get help should they experience problems with gambling.