Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40986239›Full record

SynthesisJournal of gambling studies2025

Betting on the Future: A Systematic Review of Modern Gambling Interventions for College Students.

Sidath Kapukotuwa, Ana González-Alvarez, Shane W Kraus, Manoj Sharma

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of gambling studies, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Sidath KapukotuwaDepartment of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, 89119, USA. kwsidath@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3345-2391
Ana González-AlvarezDepartment of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, 89119, USA.
Shane W KrausDepartment of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, USA.
Manoj SharmaDepartment of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, 89119, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Gambling among college students is a growing public health concern, with approximately 10.2% experiencing problem gambling and 6.1% meeting criteria for gambling disorder. These rates are significantly higher than those in the general adult population. The transitional nature of college life, combined with increased independence, peer influence, and the widespread availability of online gambling platforms, places students at heightened risk. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed at reducing gambling behaviors among college students. This systematic review evaluated RCTs published over the past 25 years targeting gambling behaviors among college students. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across four databases to assess the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic, psychoeducational, and personalized feedback interventions. A total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. Interventions based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI) consistently reduced gambling frequency and harm. Personalized normative feedback (PNF) interventions significantly lowered perceived gambling norms and self-reported behaviors. Technology-driven strategies, including smartphone-based interventions and pop-up messages prompting time limits, improved accessibility and reduced gambling duration. Group-based CBT interventions demonstrated particular effectiveness through peer accountability and skill-building. However, gaps remain in addressing online gambling behaviors, cultural adaptability, and co-occurring mental health conditions. Evidence supports the efficacy of CBT, MI, and PNF-based interventions in reducing gambling among college students. Digital and group-based approaches show promise for scalability. Future public health interventions should address the unique risks of online gambling and integrate mental health support. OSF Registration DOI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/D97QX .

Indexed as

Cognitive Behavioral TherapyGamblingStudentsHumansMotivational InterviewingRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicUniversitiesYoung AdultBehavior changeCollege studentsGambling interventionsRandomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.