V3I11P1

Betting to Survive: Prevalence, Motivations and Academic Effects of Sports Betting Among Undergraduate Students in Sokoto State Univesrity, Nigeria

Onwu, Chukwuma Kalu^1*

Abstract

Sports betting has grown rapidly among Nigerian youth, yet empirical data from universities in Northern Nigeria remain limited. Thus, this study examines the prevalence, motivations, and academic effects of sports betting on undergraduate students at Sokoto State University. A mixed-methods descriptive survey was conducted among 350 undergraduate students selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and 15 in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS for frequencies and percentages, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings reveals that 74.0% of students engage in sports betting, predominantly males (64.0%). Most students bet at least twice weekly (60.0%) and stake between ₦100 and ₦1000 or more. Economic hardship and the desire to “win money” (78.0%) were primary motivations. Peer influence was significant, with 86.0% reporting they were introduced to betting by friends. Academic consequences includes reduced study time, with 44.0% stating that bettors are not serious with studies and behavioural effects such as sadness (44.0%) and aggression (24.0%) after losses. The paper concludes that sports betting functions as both a coping strategy for economic precarity and a peer-reinforced practice with negative academic outcomes. The study recommends university-based financial literacy programs, regulation of betting advertisements, and peer-education interventions.

Keywords:

Sports betting, University students, Academic performance, Peer influence, Nigeria, Social Learning Theory