Half Of Older Children Experienced Gambling In In 2015, Regulator
Half of 11 to 17-year-olds experienced betting over the previous year and 30% spent their own cash doing so, according to newest figures.
Those participating in betting with their own money is up from 27% in 2024, the Gambling Commission's yearly Youth and Gambling Report stated.
However, the regulator stated the research study showed that it was not children being motivated or permitted to bet underage that was driving the increase however rather increased participation in gambling that was either legal or did not require policy, such as private betting between friends.
Each year this report even more enhances understanding of the relationship in between youths and gambling
Tim Miller, Gambling Commission
The proportion of children experiencing issues with their gambling was 1.2%, which the commission referred to as "statistically steady" with 2024's 1.5%.
The study was brought out amongst 3,666 11 to 17-year-olds attending academies, maintained and independent schools in England, Scotland and Wales, with pupils completing online self-completion studies in class.
The most of gambling that young individuals spent their own cash on stayed those that were legal or not age-restricted, most typically arcade gaming machines such as cent pusher or claw grab makers (21%), followed by positioning a bet for cash in between pals or family (14%) and playing cards with pals or household for cash (5%).
Arcade video gaming was among the most common types of gambing amongst children, 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 youths and gaming.
"We have seen a boost in participation in betting - 27% in 2024 compared to 30% in 2025.
"The research shows that it is not kids being encouraged or permitted to bet minor driving this boost - it is the increased involvement in betting that is either legal or does not require policy, such as personal betting in between pals.
"Even with that increased involvement, the percentage of those scoring 4 or more on the youth-adapted issue gambling screen has 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 betting, we use the data to constantly keep under evaluation and, where required, strengthen the suite of defenses for youths that we need betting companies to have in place."
Will Prochaska, who leads the Coalition to End Gambling Ads, stated: "The proportion of kids gambling and experiencing problems is frightening and driven by ubiquitous marketing pushed to them through sport, computer video games, and by online influencers.
"If the Government is major about its manifesto dedication to reduce gambling harm it must do something about it on gambling advertising."