UKGC study finds 0.9% of children between 11-16 are problem gamblers

About 0.9 percent of 11-16 year-olds are classed as problem gamblers in Great Britain, according to a report from the U.K. Gambling Commission. 

The 2022 Young People and Gambling Report is an annual study which looks into the exposure and involvement of children in all types of gambling.

“As the industry regulator, we require gambling operators to have strong protections in place to prevent children from accessing products illegally,” it said. “This also includes rules preventing marketing and advertising being targeted at children.”

This year, 31 percent of children have stated they had spent their own money on gambling in the last 12 months. 

UKGC stepping up problem gambling action

For the vast majority that gambling was legal, including playing arcade gaming machines, including penny pusher or claw grab machines. Twenty two percent said they had taken part in this activity. About 15 percent said they had placed a bet between friends or family, while 5 percent have played cards for money with friends or family. 

However, a small minority of 2 percent said they had spent money on slot machines and 2 percent had spent money on betting on esports. 

The UKGC said it is stepping up its efforts to prevent gambling harm, with measures such as ramping up our enforcement activity against failing operators, including those who have targeted children, clamping down hard on online slots products, increasing online age and ID verification, strengthening customer interaction requirements, and banning gambling on credit cards.

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