Many of the conclusions must be extrapolated from research on similar populations, on activities related to gambling, or from expert opinion. The present study follows this pattern of research and was developed using many of the materials that were contained in these earlier research efforts. In general, there appears to be a growing consensus regarding some trends related to young people and their gambling behavior. While many college student athletes are no longer in their teens, there is reason to believe that the general findings apply to a traditionally aged college student. In addition, pathological gambling was significantly correlated with tobacco use, alcohol abuse, and criminal offenses.
Gambling problems are more prevalent in males than in females.
Gambling in the adolescent population is linked to such practices as missing classes, dropping out of school, psychotropic drug abuse and engaging in criminal activities. Males were found to have higher rates of gambling behavior than females. Lesieur et al. Males consistently gambled more than females on all activities except bingo. The researchers found that gambling behavior had effects on students other than just monetary gains and losses.