Communications and Media

Gambling is an issue that has been mostly associated with leisure in the contemporary society. In a University set up this perception is no different as students engaging in gambling activities within the school, in the casinos as well as on the internet. There is an increase in gambling among university students. This problem has grown over the last ten years. The purpose of this study is to establish the scope, causes and consequences of gambling. Gambling is therefore an issue that is affecting the most vulnerable and important population in the society and should be addressed. Exploring this issue is necessary in establishing possible solution for the involved authorities in helping students overcome and shun from this worrying behavior. The study will focus on various literatures in developing a clear picture of the problem at hand.

Literature Review
Gambling in colleges is an issue that has gained interest from researchers in the last decade. Gambling poses many negative influences to students than perceived by students and school administrators. Students who engaged in gambling face various risks in matters regarding their health, academic performance, social life and financial problems. As Joshua (2009) argues, students gamble because the schoolshas no concern about this issue. In other words, the schools have no policies concerning gambling in school. As a result, it is a common thing to have advertisement about a poker tournament around colleges, which is further, influenced by the fact that, college students are of age and are free to gamble (Joshua, 2009). On the other hand, Janathen (2005) perceive colleges and universities as institutions of learning, which hold a great responsibility in controlling any activity other than learning that may affect the learning process. In a research by Shaffer et al. (2005), where 119 colleges in the United States participated, it was revealed that, gambling is a commonplace among college students. Further it was identified that all schools that participated had policies governing alcohol and substance abuse contrary to 22 percent (26 colleges) that had policies regulating gambling. Joshua (2009) claims that the policies are too weak to be able to dissuade students from gambling. Hence, the researchers recommend the school administrations to take responsibility and discourage gambling as much as they discourage drinking and drug abuse by establishing strict policies.

The participation of celebrities in poker tournaments on ESPN and in other networks persuades them to engage in such (Joshua, 2009). Movies such as Casino Royale by James Bond, 21 and Rounders depict glamorous lifestyles, which are appealing to the younger generation.  Administrators in most cases are unaware of the seriousness of the situation or are arrogant of the effects of gambling on students life. According to Jonathen (2005), some schools allow students to engage in poker tournaments within the school. In the Annenberg Risk Survey conducted in 2005, half of male and a quarter female students admitted to have bet on cards at least once in a month.  Five percent admitted to be in debt from gabling. Gambling is perceived as just any other leisure activity in school one of the reasons why it has been of little concern from administrators. This survey particularly attracted public concern in the United States.

College gambling in sports is in the increasing despite being illegitimate in all the states except in Nevada. According to the University of Indiana Gambling Problem Awareness Program, gambling problem among college students is more than double that of the general public in the United States. Besides, about 4 percent of student gamblers develop gambling problem (University of Indiana, 2010). Various works have established the reasons why students engage in gambling activities. The most prominent form of gambling that was found appealing to students is online gambling. This is due to easy accessibility, anonymity, access to credit cards, 247, conformability with technology and Walter Mitty Syndrome (Stuart, 2005). Stuart (2005) notes that students learn from their peers who have at one time won good money from gambling but do not learn from those who have lost in the same game.

Despite the growing influence and participation of students in gambling, campaigns within the colleges and universities alongside strong policies can help in resolving this problem. Jonathen (2005) blames the internet, media and the society in playing a role in perpetuating this culture in the institutions of learning. Joshua (2009) warns that the problem is extent and is slowly encroaching into high school students, which is even more devastating to society. The four articles used in this study all agree that the problem of gambling among university students is at an alarming rate and the school has very little concern if any in trying to resolve this issue.

Gambling is a serious problem with majority of the players developing a problem beyond their control. According to the Indiana Problem Gambling Awareness Program manager, Mrs. Mary Lay, gambling is the main source of depression among students due to financial devastation, leads to crime as well as poor physical and mental health, which increases risk for substance abuse. Depression caused by gambling may influence suicide. According to Indiana University (2010), gambling among university students is characterized by the following
Long hours of gambling and with more money than planned for
lying to family and friends about gambling
Frequent borrowing of money to gamble
poor performance due to obsession  with gambling
lack of concentration and unable to stay awake in class as a result of late nights of gambling
mood swings from wins and losses
gambling to escape hassles and stressors of life
arguing with family and friends about your gambling
 paying  gambling debts using school fees, scholarship or book money
Increasing gambling to try to win back money lost.

Nevertheless, some institutions have shown concern over gambling behavior among students. For instance, the University of Missouri-Columbia places gambling under its watch list of addictive behavior and has established a comprehensive gambling education and counseling program to assist students (Ron, 2008). For sure, the problem of gambling in colleges should be addressed by the school administration, as the problem is worrying.