22% of Spanish gamblers are under 25

Garance Limouzy October 31, 2024

SiGMA news

22% of Spanish gamblers are under 25

The Spanish General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling’s recent report on gambling prevalence from 2022-2023 shows an impressive increase in young gamblers: 22 percent of gamblers in Spain are now under 25.

Despite Spain’s evolving gambling regulations, the prevalence of gambling among young people continues to grow, revealed the recent report. Youth addiction to gambling has escalated in regions like Galicia, where an increasing number of young people seek help for gambling issues. These concerns came to the forefront on National Gambling-Free Day as organisations across Spain urged for immediate and focused prevention initiatives aimed at adolescents, who often start gambling under the influence of peers.

New regulations in Galicia have led to a reduction in physical betting shops, but other gambling avenues continue to thrive. Youth often enter the gambling world through video games with “loot boxes,” which can normalise gambling behaviours at an early age. Over time, they may progress to other forms of gambling, such as scratch cards and sports betting. Research revealed that nearly 12 percent of Spaniards aged 18 to 25 who gamble online show signs of gambling-related problems, a figure that proves the importance of early prevention efforts.

Online gambling

Research from support groups reveals that the average starting age for gambling is 18.5, and gambling addiction among youth is rising. According to reports, the surge in online gambling exacerbates the issue, with internet-based gambling now representing nearly half of all cases treated, a sharp increase from 32 percent before the pandemic. Cases of dual addiction, where gambling is combined with other dependencies, are also on the rise.

Experts from the Universidad Internacional de La Rioja stressed that the rapid rewards and digital format of modern games can create strong emotional responses, heightening addiction risks among youth. The immediacy and uncertainty of winning in online games stimulate brain circuits associated with addiction, much like the effects of substance abuse.

Associations have also reported the rise in microcredit usage, which enables young people to access quick funds for gambling, frequently resulting in debt that can become nearly impossible to manage.