Why Youth Gambling Is a Growing Concern
Gambling is no longer confined to casinos or betting shops that young people cannot legally enter. Today, gambling-related content is woven into the digital environments where young people spend much of their lives — through sports sponsorships, social media advertising, video game mechanics, and online platforms.
Research consistently shows that people who begin gambling at a young age are at significantly greater risk of developing gambling problems in adulthood. Early exposure normalises gambling and shapes attitudes before critical thinking skills are fully developed.
How Young People Encounter Gambling
Understanding the routes of exposure is the first step in prevention:
- Sports sponsorship and media — betting brands are prominently featured in football, horse racing, and other sports young people follow
- Social media advertising — targeted gambling ads appear on platforms used heavily by teenagers
- Loot boxes in video games — paying for randomised in-game rewards shares key structural features with gambling
- Scratchcards and lottery tickets — often perceived as "not really gambling" and gifted by adults to young people
- Online casino and betting apps — despite age verification requirements, underage access remains a concern
- Peer influence — gambling among peer groups, especially informal sports betting
Warning Signs in Young People
Some signs that a young person may be developing a problematic relationship with gambling include:
- Unexplained loss of money or asking for money frequently
- Withdrawn behaviour, secrecy around phone or computer use
- Declining school performance or loss of interest in previous hobbies
- Boasting about or frequently discussing gambling wins
- Mood swings linked to sporting results or game outcomes
- Borrowing money from friends or siblings
What Parents Can Do
Have Open, Non-Judgmental Conversations
The most effective prevention is ongoing, honest conversation. Talking about gambling — including why it is designed to be appealing, how the odds work, and what can go wrong — is far more effective than a blanket "gambling is bad" message. Young people respond better to information than instruction.
Set Clear Household Rules
- Do not gift scratchcards or lottery tickets to young people, even as a joke
- Discuss the gambling-like nature of loot boxes when they appear in games
- Use parental controls on devices to restrict gambling websites and apps
Model Healthy Attitudes Toward Money and Risk
Young people absorb attitudes from the adults around them. Demonstrating that money is managed thoughtfully, and that entertainment has a budget, helps establish a healthy framework before gambling enters the picture.
What Educators Can Do
Schools and youth organisations play an important role in prevention:
- Include gambling in PSHE and financial education — young people benefit from learning about probability, odds, and the commercial design of gambling before encountering it.
- Teach critical media literacy — help students identify gambling advertising, understand its persuasive intent, and question normalised portrayals of betting in sport.
- Create safe reporting routes — ensure young people know they can speak to a trusted adult without shame or punishment if gambling has become a concern.
- Use evidence-based resources — GamCare's GameAware programme provides free educational materials designed for schools.
Key Resources for Young People and Those Who Support Them
| Resource | Who It's For | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| GamCare Young People's Service | Under 18s affected by gambling | gamcare.org.uk |
| GameAware | Educators, parents, young people | gameaware.co.uk |
| National Gambling Helpline | Anyone concerned about gambling | 0808 8020 133 |
| Gordon Moody | Young adults in crisis | gordonmoody.org.uk |
Prevention is always more effective than treatment. Starting these conversations early — before gambling becomes a problem — is one of the most valuable things a parent or educator can do.