Gambling Commission Highlights Rise in Youth Gambling: Online Casino Ads and Unregulated Content Under Scrutiny
The UK Gambling Commission has published its 2024 Young People and Gambling Report, revealing concerning trends in youth gambling. This research, conducted in schools with a sample size of 3,869 young people aged 11 to 17, emphasizes the impact of gambling exposure on minors.
Key Findings
- 27% of Youth Gambling: Over a quarter of young people reported spending their own money on gambling within the past year. This figure is consistent with past surveys (31% in 2022 and 26% in 2023).
- Increase in Problem Gambling: The proportion of young people identified as problem gamblers (scoring 4 or more on the DSM-IV-MR-J Youth Adapted screen) rose to 1.5%, up from 0.7% in 2023 and 0.9% in 2022.
- Unregulated Gambling: While 21% of participants engaged in regulated gambling activities, only 6% did so outside of arcade settings. Meanwhile, 15% participated in unregulated gambling, such as informal bets with friends.
Common Gambling Activities
Most young people engaged in activities legally accessible without age restrictions:
- Arcade gaming machines: 20%
- Betting with friends/family: 11%
- Card games for money: 5%
Concerns and Insights
Tim Miller, Executive Director for Research and Policy at the Gambling Commission, highlighted the dual nature of the findings. “Our report provides crucial insights into youth gambling,” he noted. While regulated gambling forms are continuously monitored and strengthened with protective measures, Miller stressed that unregulated activities, like casual bets among peers, also pose risks. “Parents, schools, and community groups play pivotal roles in mitigating these harms,” he added.
The rise in youth gambling and related issues underscores a pressing contradiction: widespread advertising of online casinos and streaming content that reaches minors coincides with an uptick in gambling addiction among the young. This report serves as a reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to protect minors from gambling exposure.
Noteworthy
The Gambling Commission has taken steps to reinforce its commitment to safety by appointing two new members to its Advisory Board for Safer Gambling (ABSG) as of October 2024.
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Gambling companies need to take more responsibility for their advertising practices. Targeting young audiences, even indirectly, has serious consequences. If we’re serious about protecting the next generation, stricter measures are needed.
I think this report sheds light on how much peer influence plays a role. Unregulated gambling, like friendly bets, might seem harmless but can develop into serious habits. It’s time for a community-wide approach to address this issue.
The increase in youth problem gambling is alarming. It’s clear that more needs to be done, not just by regulators but also by parents and schools. Educating young people about the risks associated with gambling should be a priority.
It's shocking but not surprising to see these statistics. When you bombard young people with gambling ads and allow online streams that glamorize it, what do we expect? Regulation needs to catch up with the digital age to protect our kids.