Exploratory Study on How Substance Use Affects Gambling and Spending Among Students

This research examines the connection between gambling behavior and substance use among youths, with special interest regarding gender difference and the cost of gambling. With a representative sample of 700 high school students aged between ages of 14 and 18 years, the research utilized structured questionnaires to collect information. Respondents indicated their participation on gambling, ranging from slot and scratch cards to internet gambling and sports betting, and their use of psychoactive drugs. Analysis identifies a strong, statistically significant connection between gambling and use of substances, particularly among respondents who use slot gambling or sport betting. For the entire sample, 19.7% gambled and 24% took substances. Use of substances, particularly psychoactive drugs and tobacco use, were much more prevalent among gamblers compared with non-gamblers, and an associated pattern, particularly among males, unveiled much more salient features. Log odds ratio and Fisher’s exact test analysis uncovered much elevated probabilities of use of substances among gamblers, particularly among slot machine users, with odds ratios higher than 2.0 among some female subgroups. Nevertheless, internet gambling could not demonstrate strong associations with use of substances, but there revealed an evident modest positive connection among men users. Data on expenditure unveiled the majority of young persons pay less than €10 monthly on gambling, but there exists a small group with much elevated expenditure. These respondents accounted for the size of the right-skewed distribution and may demonstrate burgeoning signs of harmful gambling. Prevention and detection are highlighted with special interest regarding gender-specific behavior. Recommendations are combined, integrated prevention among young persons within schools and communities, especially regarding gambling and use of substances during youth.