Is Gambling Prevalent Among College Students?
Social analysts observed that gambling is becoming popular nowadays. Many adults are hooked with the false hopes associated with their involvement or participation in gambling events. It is also observed that even students are interested and attracted to playing games that involve betting.
There are social groups that condemn the act of gambling. People cannot blame them because gambling has adverse effects on individuals and communities. There are gamblers who suffer from the mental condition known as pathological gambling.
Pathological gambling is a mental disorder wherein a patient has the urge to gamble or place bets despite the knowledge that frequent involvement in gambling can cause other problems such as financial debt and family disruption. Just like any other mental disorders, pathological gamblers should seek help and be treated by psychiatrists.
Pathological gambling is not only prevalent among adults. Studies found that one out of 20 college students is suffering from this mental condition. The increasing population of college students becoming addicted to gambling may be caused by the launch of online gambling. Through the development of the Internet, gambling became more accessible to people especially to college students.
With the presence of online gambling, college students need not to visit gambling establishments such as casinos just to play games. There are reports stating that college students who engage in gambling usually spend their allowances and savings just to place bets. Researchers also found that college students are at risk to gambling addiction. Statistics showed that 5 percent of college students are believed to be suffering from pathological gambling.
Pathological gambling among college students can lead to other problems such as theft, identity fraud or involvement in illegal drug trafficking. In this regard, it is important that local and national officials implement laws and legislation about gambling among college students, to save them from the negative consequences of pathological gambling.
Parents also play an important role in preventing the increasing population of college students who are addicted to gambling. They should regularly see and monitor the activities of their children.
It is also necessary that the prevalence of pathological gambling among college students be enacted by public officials. After all, the primary objective for having a quality education is to ensure that students will have a brighter future ahead of them. If college students will be distracted by their addiction to gambling, they may not be able to graduate and finish their studies, which may hinder them from being successful in life.