Exploring the influence of sports betting on academic performance among students in higher learning institutions in Tanzania

Felician Andrew Kitole, Jimmy Ezekiel Kihwele, Perpetua J. Kalimasi, Temitope O. Ojo, Khalid M. Elhindi and Hazem S. Kassem

International Journal of Educational Development, 2025, vol. 113, issue C

Abstract: Despite gambling contributing significantly to the economies of many countries, especially in developing nations, its impact on students' academic performance and productivity is profound. This study examines the determinants and effects of sports betting on academic performance among higher learning students in Tanzania, focusing on Mzumbe University, Saint Augustine University, and the University of Dodoma. Using logistic regression, instrumental variable models, structural equation modeling (SEM), and the Relative Importance Index (RII), the study identifies key factors influencing betting engagement, including year of study, parental occupation, university residency, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behaviors, and proximity to gambling outlets. SEM results reveal that students’ behaviors significantly affect betting decisions, which in turn negatively impact academic performance. RII analysis highlights subjective norms as the strongest motivator for betting, followed by mimetic pressure and normative pressure, while financial motivations and attitudes play a comparatively smaller role. The study concludes that sports betting negatively affects students’ academic performance and recommends targeted interventions. These include implementing financial literacy programs to teach effective budgeting and saving strategies, creating campus-based part-time work opportunities and internships, expanding student loan schemes, and enhancing family-level support programs. Such efforts are essential to equip students with healthier financial management options and reduce the negative impact of gambling on academic success.

Keywords: Sports betting; Mental health; Adolescent; Addiction; Gambling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0738059325000252
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:injoed:v:113:y:2025:i:c:s0738059325000252

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2025.103227

Access Statistics for this article

International Journal of Educational Development is currently edited by Stephen P Heyneman

More articles in International Journal of Educational Development from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().