Analysis of Problem Gambling Among Staff and Students in a Public University in Kenya

Abstract

This paper presents study findings on gambling among university staff and students in Kenya. Data were collected from 21 staff and 385 students using questionnaires, interview guide and focused group discussions. The collected data focused on the respondents’ demographic profiles and measured the Problem Gambling Index (PGI), whose score range was 29 to 98 points. Data were analyzed using the SPSS Version 27 software. Findings showed that 69% of the students were distributed in the third and fourth quartiles of the PGI score, while 95% of staff were in the first and second quartiles. Male and female respondents were engaged in gambling behaviours, though the male gender dominated. For staff, there were positive relationships (p = 0.05) between PGI and gender, birth position, marital status and age, but significant for family financial status (λ = 0.5, p < 0.05). For students, there were positive relationships between PGI and birth position, marital status, family financial status and age, and significant for gender (χ2 = 24.5, df = 9, p < 0.05) and duration in gambling (χ2 = 25.8, df = 15, p < 0.05). Students transacted over 20,000 USD per week in gambling activities, an indication of addictive gambling behavior resulting in alarming cases of stress, depression, suicidal tendencies and family conflicts. This study recommends adoption of responsible gambling through policy guidelines, psycho social support and establishing gambling support centers for recreation and rehabilitation.