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 cash doing so, according to latest 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 showed that it was not children being encouraged or permitted to gamble underage that was driving the boost however instead increased involvement in that was either legal or did not require policy, such as personal wagering between friends.


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


Tim Miller, Gambling Commission


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


The survey was performed among 3,666 11 to 17-year-olds participating in academies, maintained and independent schools in England, Scotland and Wales, with students completing online self-completion surveys in class.


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


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


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


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


"The research reveals that it is not kids being encouraged or allowed to gamble underage driving this boost - it is the increased participation in betting that is either legal or does not require guideline, such as personal betting in between good 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 actually moved from 1.5% in 2015 to 1.2% this year, which is classified as statistically stable.


"Where it associates with regulated types of gaming, we use the information to constantly keep under evaluation and, where required, enhance the suite of defenses for youths that we require gambling business to have in place."


Will Prochaska, who leads the Coalition to End Gambling Ads, said: "The percentage of kids gambling and experiencing issues is frightening and driven by ubiquitous advertising pressed to them through sport, video game, and by online influencers.


"If the Government is serious about its manifesto commitment to lower gambling damage it need to act on betting advertising."