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% invested their own cash doing so, according to most current figures.


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


However, the regulator said the research study showed that it was not children being motivated or allowed to bet underage that was the boost but instead increased participation in gambling that was either legal or did not require policy, such as personal wagering between friends.


Each year this report further enhances understanding of the relationship in between youths and betting


Tim Miller, Gambling Commission


The percentage of kids experiencing problems with their gaming was 1.2%, which the commission described as "statistically stable" with 2024's 1.5%.


The survey was brought out among 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 typical types of betting that young people invested their own money on stayed those that were legal or not age-restricted, most frequently arcade gaming devices such as penny pusher or claw grab devices (21%), followed by putting a bet for cash in between buddies or household (14%) and playing cards with good friends or household for money (5%).


Arcade video gaming was one of the most typical types of gambing among children, the report discovered (Alamy/PA)


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


"We have actually seen an increase in involvement in gaming - 27% in 2024 compared to 30% in 2025.


"The research reveals that it is not kids being motivated or allowed to bet minor driving this boost - it is the increased involvement in gambling that is either legal or does not need guideline, such as private betting between friends.


"Even with that increased involvement, the portion of those scoring 4 or more on the youth-adapted issue betting screen has actually not increased however has moved from 1.5% last year to 1.2% this year, which is classified as statistically stable.


"Where it associates with regulated kinds of gambling, we utilize the information to continually keep under review and, where needed, reinforce the suite of protections for youths that we require gambling business to have in place."


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 marketing pressed to them through sport, computer games, and by online influencers.


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