British regulator finds youth problem gambling rate to be stable
Problem gambling among minors remained flat despite an increase in unregulated gambling.
UK.- The British Gambling Commission has published its Young People and Gambling 2025 report. The study finds that the proportion of young people aged 11 to 17 who experience gambling-related problems was flat year-on-year. While the proportion fell slightly, from 1.5 per cent in 2024 to 1.2 per cent, the regulator said that this remains statistically stable and is concerned that the rate is not falling.
The study was conducted by Ipsos, based on questionnaire responses completed by 3,666 school pupils. Some 2.2 per cent of respondents were found to be “at risk”, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition – Multiple Response Juvenile (DSM-IV-MR-J) screen. The psychometric tool gives a score like the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PSGI).
The survey found that 49 per cent of pupils surveyed participated in gambling during the past 12 months. Some 30 per cent spent their own money, up from 27 per cent last year. This appeared to be mainly due to a rise in unregulated gambling, with the proportion of respondents using unlicensed sites rising from 15 to 18 per cent.
However, most respondents used forms of betting that are not illegal: 21 per cent arcade machines like penny pushers, 14 per cent betting with friends or family and 5 per cent playing cards for money with friends or family.
The report also brought up an ongoing concern about social media advertising. Almost half of those surveyed said they saw gambling adverts on social media at least once a week, and 47 per cent said they saw ads in apps. Close to a third mentioned seeing influencers promote gambling content.
As to why young people choose to gamble, 78 per cent who used their own money said they did so as they saw gambling as a “fun” activity. Some 36 per cent gambled to win something, even if it was not a big prize, while 34 per cent wanted to win money.
Tim Miller, executive director of research and policy for the Gambling Commission, suggested that the rise in gambling activity among young people was mainly due to forms of participation that were not seen as problematic.
He added: “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.”
