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% spent their own money doing so, according to latest figures.
Those taking part in gambling with their own money is up from 27% in 2024, the Gambling Commission's yearly Young People and Gambling Report stated.
However, the regulator said the research revealed that it was not kids being encouraged or enabled to bet underage that was driving the boost however rather increased involvement in betting that was either legal or did not need policy, such as private betting between good friends.
Each year this report even more reinforces understanding of the relationship in between youths and betting
Tim Miller, Gambling Commission
The percentage of children experiencing issues with their gambling was 1.2%, which the commission explained as "statistically steady" with 2024's 1.5%.
The survey was brought out amongst 3,666 11 to 17-year-olds going to academies, kept and independent schools in England, Scotland and Wales, with students completing online self-completion surveys in class.
The most common kinds of gambling that young people spent their own money on remained those that were legal or not age-restricted, the of frequently arcade gaming machines such as cent pusher or claw grab makers (21%), followed by putting a bet for money between friends or household (14%) and playing cards with good friends or family for money (5%).
Arcade video gaming was among the most typical types 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 further strengthens understanding of the relationship in between young individuals and betting.
"We have seen a boost in involvement in gaming - 27% in 2024 compared to 30% in 2025.
"The research reveals that it is not children being encouraged or enabled to gamble underage driving this boost - it is the increased involvement in betting that is either legal or does not require regulation, such as personal betting between pals.
"Even with that increased participation, the percentage of those scoring four or more on the youth-adapted problem gambling screen has not increased however has moved from 1.5% last year to 1.2% this year, which is classified as statistically steady.
"Where it relates to regulated types of gaming, we utilize the information to constantly keep under evaluation and, where needed, reinforce the suite of securities for youths that we require gambling companies to have in place."
Will Prochaska, who leads the Coalition to End Gambling Ads, stated: "The percentage of kids betting and experiencing problems is frightening and driven by ubiquitous advertising pushed to them through sport, computer games, and by online influencers.
"If the Government is serious about its manifesto dedication to decrease gambling harm it need to act on gambling marketing."