More than 27% of university students surveyed in Accra gamble daily or weekly, with frequent participation linked to higher levels of anxiety, depression and feelings of guilt or shame, a study has found.
The research involved 400 students from the University of Professional Studies, Accra and Accra Technical University. It examined the mental, social and financial effects of gaming, finding that although most students participated at low to moderate levels, a substantial minority showed signs of potentially problematic behaviour.
Participation was concentrated among young men. Eighty per cent of respondents were male, while 79% were aged between 18 and 25. The study also recorded underage participation at 2.8%, highlighting concerns about enforcement of age restrictions.
Sports betting was the most common form of gaming, with 57.5% of respondents saying they took part in it exclusively. Online betting accounted for 13.5%, slot machines for 7.2% and casino games for 5.8%.
Impact on finances and wellbeing
The study identified concerns over how students funded their gambling. Some 43.5% used stipends provided by guardians, making this the largest source of money. A further 17.8% used gifts, while 9% reported using school fees, raising concerns about money intended for education being diverted to gaming.
Half of those surveyed said gaming had affected their sleep, appetite or ability to concentrate. Another 42.3% admitted lying to family or friends about their gambling, while 39.8% said they experienced strong urges or compulsions to gamble even when they wanted to stop. One-third reported that gaming had harmed their relationships.
Researchers found a statistically significant link between how often students gambled and their reported anxiety levels, with more frequent participation associated with greater anxiety. A similar association was found with depression, which was reported at higher levels among frequent gamblers.
There was also a statistically significant relationship between gambling frequency and feelings of guilt or shame. However, the study found no strong statistical association between frequency of gaming and suicidal thoughts. It said the emotional distress experienced by some groups nevertheless remained a public health concern.
Limited awareness of support
Awareness of available help was low, with 69.8% of respondents saying they did not know about mental health or gaming support services.
Of those who had sought assistance, 71.64% turned to family or friends, while only 2.99% consulted mental health professionals. The findings suggest that informal support networks are being relied on heavily, potentially because professional gaming support services are not widely known or accessible.
The Gaming Commission of Ghana, which commissioned the research, said it would strengthen nationwide education campaigns about the mental health, social and financial risks associated with gaming.
The Commission said it would promote gaming strictly as entertainment and leisure rather than a source of income, and challenge the idea that it can provide a solution to financial difficulties.
It also plans to work with tertiary institutions and other stakeholders on targeted awareness programmes, campus outreach and compliance monitoring to address underage gaming. Licensed operators breaching responsible gaming or age-restriction requirements will face sanctions under the Gaming Act, 2006 (Act 721).
The Commission added that it would work with the Mental Health Authority and non-governmental organisations to promote support options, including helplines, counselling and referral pathways.
