Half Of Older Children Experienced Gambling In In 2015, Regulator

Half of 11 to 17-year-olds experienced gambling over the previous year and 30% spent their own money doing so, according to most current figures.


Those taking part in betting with their own cash is up from 27% in 2024, the Gambling Commission's annual Young People and Gambling Report said.


However, the regulator said the research revealed that it was not children being motivated or allowed to gamble underage that was driving the boost but instead increased participation in gambling that was either legal or did not need guideline, such as personal wagering between buddies.


Each year this report further enhances understanding of the relationship in between young individuals and gambling


Tim Miller, Gambling Commission


The percentage of kids experiencing problems with their gambling was 1.2%, which the commission referred to as "statistically steady" with 2024's 1.5%.


The study was performed amongst 3,666 11 to 17-year-olds going to academies, kept and independent schools in England, Scotland and Wales, with pupils finishing online self-completion studies in class.


The most common kinds of betting that youths spent their own cash on stayed those that were legal or not age-restricted, the majority of frequently arcade gaming devices such as cent pusher or claw grab machines (21%), followed by a bet for money between pals or household (14%) and playing cards with buddies or family for money (5%).


Arcade video gaming was one of the most common types of gambing among youngsters, the report found (Alamy/PA)


Tim Miller, the Gambling Commission's executive director of research and policy, said: "Each year this report further reinforces understanding of the relationship in between young individuals and betting.


"We have seen an increase in participation in gambling - 27% in 2024 compared to 30% in 2025.


"The research study shows that it is not kids being encouraged or permitted to gamble minor driving this increase - it is the increased involvement in betting that is either legal or does not need policy, such as private betting in between friends.


"Even with that increased participation, the percentage of those scoring 4 or more on the youth-adapted issue gambling screen has actually not increased but has moved from 1.5% last year to 1.2% this year, which is classed as statistically steady.


"Where it relates to regulated forms of betting, we use the information to continually keep under review and, where needed, reinforce the suite of securities for youths that we need gambling business to have in location."


Will Prochaska, who leads the Coalition to End Gambling Ads, stated: "The percentage of children betting and experiencing issues is frightening and driven by common advertising pressed to them through sport, computer system video games, and by online influencers.


"If the Government is major about its manifesto dedication to minimize betting damage it should do something about it on gambling marketing."