The UK’s gambling market was valued at around a staggering £14.3 billion in 2023. That was further growth for the industry, propped up by a surge of online casinos and sportsbooks, continuing a strong upward trend.
Approximately 38% of the UK gambling market comes online, and naturally, with the market booming, it means that more and more people are becoming active. From 2022 to 2023 there was a 6.2% increase in the number of online gamblers in the UK, totalling almost 25 million.
Online gambling is most popular in the 35 to 54-year-old age bracket, as many adults sensibly use budgeted funds to wager at the best betting sites UK Gambling Commission had licensed. With the legal age of gambling at 18, what does that mean for the youth?
The Legal Age
Britain’s gambling scene is heavily regulated thanks to the 2005 Gambling Act, which underwent a review in 2020 to ensure that it was viable for the “digital age” of online gambling. That meant that even stricter rules were introduced in 2024.
The legal age to engage in any form of gambling is 18, but with all forms of gambling, however, there remains a risk to teens through underage gambling.
Underage Gambling
Back in 1998, just four years after the National Lottery was introduced, a report found that 5% of under 16s in Great Britain had a gambling problem. With 2% of under 16s reportedly addicted to scratch cards, things underwent a slow, but important review.
In April 2021, the minimum age to play the lottery was raised to 18, the same age as casino and sports betting. But the numbers showed how quickly gambling can take over.
How Does Underage Gambling Happen?
In 2018 a big UK study about underage gambling by the Gambling Commission released a startling figure that approximately 450,000 children aged between 11 and 16 bet regularly. Wagers between friends, playing slot machines and lottery scratch cards were cited as the main ways it was being done.
The Risk of Underage Gambling
There is nothing taboo about gambling, it is part of the mainstream culture, but there are risks involved. The funding of a habit is arguably one of the biggest, as teens can turn to stealing from friends and family to gamble. Getting into financial debt is another big concern.
There is also the risk of escalating gambling addictions, and depression creeping in when trying to chase losses. Problem gambling can also lead to drug and/or alcohol abuse, as the mental and financial burdens can take a huge toll on well-being and ruin relationships.
How to Spot Problems
Problem gambling is usually associated with children becoming more withdrawn, perhaps missing work or school, and skipping family events. Keep an eye out for sudden changes to behavioural patterns like eating, sleeping and a decline in self-care.
Becoming incredibly secretive and lying about gambling are tell-tale signs. Becoming irritable when not engaging in gambling, and seeing a decline in other things that the youngster was previously interested in, are all reported symptoms of a gambling problem.
Online Protection
There are big concerns about online gambling due to the accessibility of it. Another report stated that 6% of children 11 to 16 had accessed an online gambling account, either through a parent, guardian or older friend, and had gambled within 12 months.
A national poll in the United States, where online betting is much more restrictive, found that 1 in 6 parents were unaware that their teenager was betting online. That’s an important reminder that the laws can’t close the doors to every opportunity.
Parents with online gambling accounts should ensure that passwords to accounts are not readily available. An Internet Nanny can be set to control software and block sites can also be employed on shared computers and phones. Trying not to gamble around youngsters, to decrease the visibility of it, can also help.
Responsible Gambling
Full brain development that controls emotions and logic doesn’t happen until the mid-20s, so youngsters are more prone to rash behaviours, not assessing the full risk of gambling. Problem gambling can arise from things like peer pressure, but also because of life stresses, like relationship problems.
Sitting down and attempting to talk to troubled youth, honestly sharing concerns without pressure, anger or lecturing can go a long way.
The Responsible Gambling initiative from the Gambling Commission can be a big help. They have links to online tools for advice and how to get help with underage gambling.
