Gambling and Under-18s: What Parents and Carers Should Know
Most forms of gambling in Great Britain are legally restricted to people aged 18 and over. Yet children and teenagers still encounter gambling in many ways: through advertising, through gaming, through family and friends, and through the phones in their pockets. Understanding where exposure happens is the first step towards helping young people make safer choices.
How common is it?
Surveys of young people in Great Britain regularly find that a minority of 11 to 16-year-olds report having gambled in the past year, often in informal ways such as private bets with friends or playing cards for money. A smaller group is identified as at risk of gambling harm. The numbers vary from survey to survey, but the consistent message is that gambling is part of some young people’s lives, even though it is not meant to be.
Where exposure comes from
Source | What it looks like | Why it matters |
Advertising and sponsorship | Shirt sponsors, stadium boards, social media content | Normalises betting as part of sport |
Gaming | Loot boxes, in-game currencies, gambling-style mini-games | Introduces chance-based spending early |
Social media | Tipster accounts, influencer promotions, memes about betting | Reaches young people outside traditional advertising rules |
Family and friends | Watching adults bet, informal bets, shared accounts | Models gambling as an ordinary activity |
Simulated gambling | Free-to-play slots and casino apps | Builds familiarity with gambling mechanics |
Age-appropriate arcade machines | Coin pushers, claw machines | Generally lower-risk, but can teach chance-based play |
Why young people may be more vulnerable
Adolescence is a time of heightened sensitivity to reward and risk, and the parts of the brain involved in impulse control and long-term planning are still developing. Young people are also more likely to be influenced by peers and by advertising, and less likely to have the financial experience to recognise when spending is getting out of hand. This does not mean every young person who gambles will develop a problem, but it helps explain why early exposure is taken seriously.
Warning signs to look out for
- Unexplained money, or requests for money without clear reasons
- Secrecy about phone or computer activity
- Mood swings that seem linked to online activity
- Preoccupation with betting odds, sports results or in-game purchases
- Borrowing from friends or taking items from home
- Falling grades or loss of interest in usual activities
As with adults, none of these proves a gambling problem, and many have other explanations. They are prompts for a conversation, not conclusions.
What parents and carers can do
Talk early and openly. Children are often curious about gambling because they see it everywhere. A calm conversation about how gambling works, why the odds favour the operator, and why it is restricted to adults, tends to be more effective than a lecture.
Use parental controls. Most consoles, app stores and devices allow spending limits, purchase approvals and content filters. Reviewing these settings together is a practical starting point.
Be aware of your own habits. Children notice how adults talk about betting and how often it appears in family life. Keeping betting low-key at home, and avoiding framing it as a route to easy money, sends a clear message.
Check what is being played. Gambling-like features can appear in games rated for older children. Looking at game content descriptors and in-game purchase options helps identify them.
Know where to turn. If a young person seems to be struggling, a GP, school pastoral team or a specialist service such as GamCare can offer advice. GamCare’s helpline and its services for young people are free and confidential.
Where schools and communities fit in
Schools, youth services and community groups increasingly include gambling in education about risk, money and online safety. Parents can ask what their child’s school covers and whether pastoral staff are trained to recognise gambling-related concerns. Organisations such as YGAM and GamCare provide educational resources for schools and youth workers. When a young person is struggling, an adult they trust at school can sometimes be an easier first point of contact than a parent.
Keeping perspective
Most young people who encounter gambling will not go on to have a serious problem. But the combination of early exposure, easy access and limited experience makes this a group worth paying attention to. Staying curious rather than alarmed, and keeping communication open, gives young people the best chance of seeking help early if they need it.