Scoping knowledge of gambling and gambling-related harms amongst international students
Project team
Funder
Bristol Hub for Gambling Harms Research
Total Value of Project
£10,000
Duration of project
01/02/25 – 31/07/25
Project overview
International university students must adapt to living independently, budgeting and a new country and culture. Further, students from backgrounds where gambling is illegal/socially unacceptable, may lack knowledge of gambling harms/ support available. The appeal of new ways of gambling (e.g., loot boxes) to young people, means some international students may be vulnerable to gambling harms. However, limited research has explored gambling among these cohorts in UK Higher Education. Across two UK universities, we will conduct a preliminary exploratory online survey with international students about awareness of and attitudes to gambling and discussions/interviews with international students about their experiences of gambling.
Project objectives
This preliminary study will investigate the everyday practice and portrayal of gambling amongst international students (defined as students from countries outside the UK, who are paying international student fees) from a range of different countries, including how some adapt to new cultural contexts where gambling is legal and socially acceptable. We aim to assess awareness of/attitudes to gambling among the international student population and explore experiences of gambling in more depth amongst those who gamble.
Impact statement
This research will explore experiences of gambling, and levels of awareness of gambling and gambling-related harm amongst UK international students. It will benefit universities by enhancing awareness of the issue of gambling amongst international students, hopefully leading to development of interventions/ changes in practices at universities to raise awareness of gambling-related harm among students and support students experiencing gambling-related harm.
Outputs
This research will produce:
- Open access publications targeting: Journal of Gambling Studies (IF: 3.39; BU has an open access agreement)/ International Gambling Studies (IF: 2.54)
- Online media: The Conversation / university research blogs
- Conferences: CAGR (2025)/ Bristol Hub Colloquium (2025)
- Project report summarising the findings and making preliminary recommendations regarding preventing gambling-related harm at UK universities.
