Gambling has increasingly become a public health concern, particularly among university students, due to the rise of digital technologies and easy access to betting platforms in Nigeria. Beyond actual participation, gambling ideation—persistent thoughts or urges about gambling—has emerged as a critical but underexplored phenomenon, especially in non-Western contexts. Among undergraduates in Southwest Nigeria, exposure to gambling is widespread and often normalized, raising concerns about the progression from ideation to problematic behavior. This study examines the relationships between personality characteristics, social support, and gambling ideation among undergraduate students. Drawing on the Five-Factor Model, traits such as impulsivity, sensation-seeking, and neuroticism are considered as potential predictors of gambling-related thoughts. Individuals with these traits may be more vulnerable to gambling ideation due to a tendency toward risk-taking or emotional coping. The study also investigates the role of social support as a moderating factor. While strong support systems from family, peers, and academic environments may reduce susceptibility to gambling ideation, certain peer influences may instead reinforce such tendencies where gambling is socially accepted. Using a correlational approach, the study aims to provide insights into the psychological and social factors associated with gambling ideation among students. The findings are expected to inform early intervention strategies by highlighting the importance of strengthening social support and addressing personality-related risk factors to prevent the development of problematic gambling behaviors.