A new report from the UK Gambling Commission reveals that 27 percent of 11–17-year-olds have spent their own money on gambling in the past year. The findings from the 2024 Young People and Gambling Report, based on responses from nearly 4,000 school children, highlight a worrying trend of young people engaging in gambling activities, both regulated and unregulated.
Gambling trends among young people
The report highlights that 21 percent of respondents used their own money for regulated gambling, while 15 percent participated in unregulated forms, such as private bets or online activities outside legal oversight. Arcade gaming machines were the most popular form of gambling, with 20 percent of total spending, followed by family bets (11 percent) and card games (5 percent).
Interestingly, 80 percent of young gamblers stated they gambled for fun, while 26 percent admitted that gambling made them feel happy, a sharp rise from 17 percent in 2023. However, the darker side of gambling was evident, with eight percent saying it caused tension at home and 1.5 percent experiencing gambling-related problems, up from 0.7 percent the previous year.
Impact of gambling ads and family influence
Exposure to gambling advertisements has also surged. In 2024, 64 percent of young people reported seeing gambling ads online, compared to 53 percent in 2023. Offline exposure rose similarly, from 55 percent to 62 percent. Television remains a key medium, with 54 percent of respondents recalling gambling ads.
Family environments play a significant role. Over a quarter (26 percent) of young people reported seeing a family member gamble, and 12 percent revealed that gambling by a relative had contributed to household expenses.
New guidelines to tackle gambling harm
Tim Miller, the Commission’s Executive Director for Research and Policy, said, “Today’s report gives us important insights into the relationship between young people and gambling.
Where it relates to regulated forms of gambling, we use the data to continuously keep under review and, where needed, strengthen the suite of protections for young people that we require gambling companies to have in place.
However, the report also shows that young people often gamble in ways that do not require regulation, such as betting with their friends. Yet these forms of gambling can also lead to some experiencing harm. Our report points to the opportunities that parents, schools and other groups have to also help reduce gambling harm among children and young people.”
In response to the growing concerns, the Gambling Commission has introduced stricter regulations for land-based operators. From August 30th, 2024, all patrons who appear under 25 will be required to provide proof of age and identity.
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