Half Of Older Children Experienced Gambling In Last Year, Regulator

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


Those getting involved in betting with their own money is up from 27% in 2024, the Gambling Commission's annual Youth and Gambling Report said.


However, the regulator stated the research study showed that it was not children being motivated or permitted to bet underage that was driving the boost but rather increased participation in betting that was either legal or did not need regulation, such as personal wagering between friends.


Each year this report even more strengthens understanding of the relationship between youths and betting


Tim Miller, Gambling Commission


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


The study was brought out amongst 3,666 11 to 17-year-olds attending academies, maintained and independent schools in England, Scotland and Wales, with pupils finishing online self-completion in class.


The most common types of gambling that youths spent their own cash on remained those that were legal or not age-restricted, most typically arcade video gaming makers such as penny pusher or claw grab machines (21%), followed by placing a bet for money in between good friends or household (14%) and playing cards with friends or family for cash (5%).


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


Tim Miller, the Gambling Commission's executive director of research and policy, stated: "Each year this report even more strengthens understanding of the relationship in between youths and gaming.


"We have actually seen a boost in participation in betting - 27% in 2024 compared to 30% in 2025.


"The research reveals that it is not kids being encouraged or enabled to bet underage driving this increase - it is the increased involvement in gambling that is either legal or does not require policy, such as personal wagering between pals.


"Even with that increased participation, the percentage of those scoring four or more on the youth-adapted problem betting screen has actually not increased however has moved from 1.5% in 2015 to 1.2% this year, which is classed as statistically steady.


"Where it associates with regulated kinds of gaming, we utilize the data to continuously keep under review and, where needed, enhance the suite of defenses for youths that we need gambling companies to have in place."


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


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