On University at Albany Week: Problem gambling can affect anyone, especially students.
Laura Longo, researcher with the Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research, explores how to combat this.
Laura Longo is a licensed psychologist and researcher with the Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research at UAlbany, as well as a senior research specialist for the Research Foundation for SUNY. Her expertise is in the development, implementation and evaluation of health communication campaigns, and prevention and early intervention services that address substance misuse, problem gambling, suicide prevention and other behavioral health concerns.
Engaging Peers to Help College Students with Problem Gambling
With the recent increase in legalization of online sports betting in many states, including New York, colleges and universities are facing new challenges related to problem gambling among students.
Also known as gambling addiction or gambling disorder, problem gambling can disrupt life and career goals. Symptoms include progressive preoccupation with gambling, gambling to escape worry or problems, borrowing money such as financial aid to gamble, lying about gambling,. and unsuccessful attempts to cut back or stop.
Our Center for Behavioral Health Promotion and Applied Research has been leveraging its research expertise to better understand gambling behaviors among college students. In a Fall 2024 survey, 47 percent of UAlbany students reported gambling in the previous year and, of those, 10 percent scored at moderate or high risk for problem gambling. Students who reported gambling were more likely to report risky alcohol use, and those with gambling related problems were more likely to report suicidal thoughts and a history of suicide attempt.
We have rolled out innovative, evidence-based strategies to assist these students. One of our most promising strategies engages peers — or people with lived experience with a mental health condition, such as a substance use disorder — to reach these students. These professionally supervised peers are stationed in areas where students naturally congregate, and offer well-being check-ins that take screen students for problem gambling, depression, and substance use disorders. Students are then given the option to meet with a trained peer prevention navigator who can help connect them to resources and treatment.
Together with our partners, who have recognized our work in this area, we are sharing best practices to ensure New York’s college students get the help they need to lead healthy, successful lives.
