From Prevalence to Prevention: Assessing Gambling Behaviors and Implementing a Harm-Reduction Program Among University Students.
Session Title
Youth Gambling: University & Athlete Programs
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation
Start Date
27-5-2026 12:00 AM
Abstract
The rapid growth of legal and online gambling in the United States has increased exposure among young adults, raising concerns about gambling-related harm on college campuses. This presentation describes a two-phase project conducted at the University of New Mexico aimed at assessing student gambling behaviors and piloting a targeted prevention response. Phase one involved a campus-wide survey of students (N = 2,129) assessing gambling participation, modalities, and risk indicators. Results suggest that slightly under a third of students reported past-six month gambling behavior (29.4%), and sports betting being endorsed by 19.0% of gamblers. A subset of students reported patterns associated with elevated risk, underscoring the need for proactive intervention. Building on these findings, phase two focuses on the development and implementation of a group-based harm-reduction-program adapted from the Alcohol Skills Training Program (ASTP), referred to as the Gambling Skills Training Program (GSTP). GSTP is designed to increase gambling literacy, promote safer gambling practices, and reduce gambling-related harm without requiring abstinence. The presentation will outline the rationale for the program, components of the intervention, and early feasibility outcomes (e.g., engagement, acceptability, preliminary change indicators). Together, these phases illustrate a data-driven pathway from assessment to intervention for addressing gambling-related risk among college students.
From Prevalence to Prevention: Assessing Gambling Behaviors and Implementing a Harm-Reduction Program Among University Students.
The rapid growth of legal and online gambling in the United States has increased exposure among young adults, raising concerns about gambling-related harm on college campuses. This presentation describes a two-phase project conducted at the University of New Mexico aimed at assessing student gambling behaviors and piloting a targeted prevention response. Phase one involved a campus-wide survey of students (N = 2,129) assessing gambling participation, modalities, and risk indicators. Results suggest that slightly under a third of students reported past-six month gambling behavior (29.4%), and sports betting being endorsed by 19.0% of gamblers. A subset of students reported patterns associated with elevated risk, underscoring the need for proactive intervention. Building on these findings, phase two focuses on the development and implementation of a group-based harm-reduction-program adapted from the Alcohol Skills Training Program (ASTP), referred to as the Gambling Skills Training Program (GSTP). GSTP is designed to increase gambling literacy, promote safer gambling practices, and reduce gambling-related harm without requiring abstinence. The presentation will outline the rationale for the program, components of the intervention, and early feasibility outcomes (e.g., engagement, acceptability, preliminary change indicators). Together, these phases illustrate a data-driven pathway from assessment to intervention for addressing gambling-related risk among college students.