Gambling Commission says 2024 Young People and Gambling report highlights rising risks

The UK Gambling Commission’s 2024 Young People and Gambling report reveals a troubling rise in gambling participation and associated risks among young people. According to the report, 27 percent of 11 to 17-year-olds spent their own money on gambling in the past year, up from 26 percent in 2023. The report highlights popular activities such as arcade games and betting with friends, underscoring an urgent need for safeguards to protect young people from the risks of addiction.

Key findings on youth gambling trends

The report examines youth engagement in both regulated and unregulated gambling. While 21 percent of young people take part in regulated forms of gambling, such as arcade games or licensed betting venues, 15 percent engage in unregulated gambling activities beyond the jurisdiction of the Gambling Commission.

Arcade gaming machines are the most popular, with 20 percent of respondents spending money on them. Betting with family or friends was the next most popular at 11 percent, followed by playing cards for money at 5 percent. This contributed to a 4 percent increase in regulated gambling participation compared to the previous year.

There was also a notable increase in problem gambling rates among young people. Researchers classified 1.5 percent of young respondents as problem gamblers, up from 0.7 percent in 2023, with an additional 1.9 percent considered ‘at risk.’

Examining youth gambling patterns over the past five years, the data reveals a steady increase in both participation and at-risk behaviours among young people. For instance, youth gambling participation was 24 percent in 2020, increasing to 26 percent in 2023 and reaching 27 percent in the latest 2024 report. The upward trend in regulated gambling, particularly among young people engaging with arcade games and friendly betting, underscores a need to monitor these forms of accessible gambling more closely.

How social media and advertising impact young people

Over half of the young respondents reported exposure to gambling advertisements, whether on TV, online, or through social media. The report underscores the impact of digital channels and influencers in shaping young people’s perceptions, especially when they link gambling to sports and entertainment.

Social media influencers also play a significant role. By normalising gambling as an accessible and entertaining activity, these influencers potentially increase addiction risks among young followers. This early exposure to normalised gambling poses long-term risks, both to mental health and financial security.

Youth gambling issues extend beyond the UK. In Japan, the National Centre for Addiction Services reported a 30 percent rise in youth gambling-related issues post-pandemic, driven by increased accessibility to online gambling. Similarly, in the US, the National Council on Problem Gambling has found that young men aged 18-24 are at the highest risk of gambling-related harm, due largely to the rise in online betting platforms. These international statistics reflect a growing trend across multiple regions, emphasising the global nature of youth gambling and the need for cohesive regulatory approaches.

The Gambling Commission’s recommendations to protect young people

The Gambling Commission’s recommendations stress the importance of implementing educational programmes that cover the risks and realities of gambling, ideally integrated into the school curriculum. Schools in regions with existing gambling awareness programmes have shown positive results, such as a 15 percent reduction in youth gambling participation. This shows that structured educational outreach, when tailored to connect with young audiences and challenge misconceptions about gambling, “luck” and risk, can be successful.

The Gambling Commission’s 2024 report offers clear recommendations to address youth gambling issues.

• Education on gambling risks: Schools should introduce educational programmes that highlight the risks and consequences of gambling, helping to build awareness and responsibility from an early age.
• Tighter regulations on youth gambling: The report advocates for reassessing youth access to certain gambling activities, including those considered low-risk, such as arcade games, to adequately protect young people.
• Stricter advertising oversight: To limit young people’s exposure to gambling advertisements, the report recommends tighter controls on ads, especially online and on social media. Stricter oversight may help prevent young people from being unduly influenced by gambling promotion during vulnerable years.

A call for collaborative action on youth gambling

Tim Miller, Commission 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.”

The 2024 Young People and Gambling report serves as a crucial reminder for the iGaming industry, policymakers, and parents. With youth gambling participation and addiction risks on the rise, the need for proactive education and regulation is more urgent than ever.

Protecting young people from the potential harms of gambling will require collaborative efforts. Industry leaders, educators, and policymakers must work together to address these issues and reduce gambling’s impact on the next generation.

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