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% invested 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 annual Young People and Gambling Report stated.
However, the regulator said the research showed that it was not children being encouraged or permitted to gamble underage that was driving the increase however instead increased involvement in gambling that was either legal or did not need guideline, such as private wagering in between buddies.
Each year this report further strengthens understanding of the relationship in between young individuals and gambling
Tim Miller, Gambling Commission
The percentage of kids experiencing problems with their gaming 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 participating in academies, preserved and independent schools in England, Scotland and Wales, with pupils completing online self-completion studies in class.
The most common kinds of betting that their own money on stayed those that were legal or not age-restricted, many typically arcade gaming machines such as penny pusher or claw grab machines (21%), followed by putting a bet for money between good friends or household (14%) and playing cards with buddies or household for money (5%).
Arcade gaming was one of the most common kinds of gambing amongst youngsters, the report discovered (Alamy/PA)
Tim Miller, the Gambling Commission's executive director of research study and policy, said: "Each year this report further reinforces understanding of the relationship in between young individuals and gaming.
"We have seen an increase in involvement in gambling - 27% in 2024 compared to 30% in 2025.
"The research study shows that it is not kids being encouraged or enabled to gamble underage driving this increase - it is the increased participation in betting that is either legal or does not need regulation, such as private betting in between pals.
"Even with that increased involvement, the percentage of those scoring four or more on the youth-adapted problem betting screen has actually not increased but has actually moved from 1.5% last year to 1.2% this year, which is classed as statistically steady.
"Where it relates to regulated types of gaming, we use the data to constantly keep under evaluation and, where needed, reinforce the suite of securities for young individuals that we need gambling business to have in location."
Will Prochaska, who leads the Coalition to End Gambling Ads, stated: "The proportion of children gambling and experiencing issues 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 betting damage it should do something about it on gambling marketing."