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% their own money doing so, according to most current figures.
Those taking part in gambling 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 revealed that it was not children being encouraged or enabled to bet underage that was driving the boost however instead increased participation in gambling that was either legal or did not require guideline, such as private betting between good friends.
Each year this report even more strengthens understanding of the relationship in between youths and betting
Tim Miller, Gambling Commission
The percentage of children experiencing problems with their gambling was 1.2%, which the commission referred to as "statistically stable" with 2024's 1.5%.
The study was performed among 3,666 11 to 17-year-olds attending academies, kept and independent schools in England, Scotland and Wales, with students finishing online self-completion studies in class.
The most common kinds of betting that youths spent their own money on stayed those that were legal or not age-restricted, many commonly arcade gaming machines such as cent pusher or claw grab devices (21%), followed by positioning a bet for money in between pals or family (14%) and playing cards with buddies or household for money (5%).
Arcade gaming was one of the most typical kinds of gambing among 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 enhances understanding of the relationship in between youths and gaming.
"We have seen a boost in involvement in gaming - 27% in 2024 compared to 30% in 2025.
"The research study reveals that it is not children being motivated or allowed 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 between pals.
"Even with that increased involvement, the percentage of those scoring 4 or more on the youth-adapted problem betting screen has actually not increased however has moved from 1.5% last year to 1.2% this year, which is classified as statistically steady.
"Where it connects to regulated forms of gaming, we utilize the data to constantly keep under review and, where required, enhance the suite of protections for young people that we require betting business to have in place."
Will Prochaska, who leads the Coalition to End Gambling Ads, said: "The percentage of children betting and experiencing problems is frightening and driven by ubiquitous advertising pressed to them through sport, video game, and by online influencers.
"If the Government is major about its manifesto dedication to decrease betting harm it should act on betting marketing."