Sports Betting: Problem Gambling Correlates among Problem Gambling Severity Index Sub-Types of University Students

Abstract

Students who participate in sports betting often display Problem Gambling Correlates. Thus, the purpose of this study was to seek problem gambling correlates among problem gambling severity index sub-types of university students who engage in sports betting. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. A sample size of 351 was used from four colleges of the University of Cape Coast. The sample was made up of both males and females who were at least 20 years old. The researchers further used a disproportionate stratified sampling technique to draw from each college the number required for the study. Means, standard deviation, and one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were used in the data analysis. It was found that some of the major gambling correlates experienced were those captured under faulty cognitions, first-time experiences, family problems, co-morbidity and stress. Also, there was a significant difference between these correlates and gambler subtypes. It was recommended among other things that a proposed “Gaming Research Unit” under the auspices of the Department of Education and Psychology, should be established to ensure the screening of students who are low-risk, moderate-risk or problem gamblers and refer them for guidance and counselling.