Survey indicates increase in problem gambling among teenagers

A survey conducted by the UK’s gambling watchdog reveals that the proportion of 11 to 17-year-olds exhibiting indicators of problem gambling has more than doubled. Among the young individuals surveyed, nearly one in ten reported that gambling had caused them to lie, and approximately one in twelve stated it had resulted in arguments. The Gambling Commission interviewed 3,869 young people across England, Scotland, and Wales. From this group, 1.5% were identified as having a gambling problem, marking a substantial increase from the 0.7% recorded in the 2023 survey. The report indicated that the most frequent forms of gambling young people engaged in with money were arcade gaming machines and betting or playing cards for money with friends and family. All of these gambling activities are lawful. The percentage of respondents who stated that gambling made them feel happy increased from 17% in the previous year to 26%. A significant majority of the young people surveyed, specifically 82%, reported feeling adequately informed regarding the dangers associated with gambling. Nevertheless, over one in fifteen young individuals expressed concern about gambling activities undertaken by family members. Furthermore, more than 60% of the young people questioned indicated they had encountered gambling advertising, which represents a notable rise compared to the previous year. The Gambling Commission identifies several indicators of problem gambling in young people, such as using gambling as a means to escape negative feelings and escalating the amounts spent to achieve the same level of excitement. Other signs may involve taking money without authorization for gambling, experiencing distress when attempting to reduce gambling, and returning the following day in an effort to recover lost funds. Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a former Conservative cabinet minister, informed the BBC that the government ought to expedite the implementation of more stringent gambling regulations. Sir Iain, an advocate against gambling-related harms, stated that gambling companies “use ruthlessly apps and everything else to get to younger people”. He further remarked: “They’re rapacious, and the damage that’s being caused is quite astonishing really.” In 2023, the preceding Conservative government introduced proposals aimed at stricter regulation of gambling companies, which Sir Iain characterized as “good but not good enough”, contending that they “backed off” concerning advertising. A government spokesperson affirmed that Labour acknowledged “the impact harmful gambling can have on individuals and their families and we are absolutely committed to strengthening protections for those at risk, including young people”. The spokesperson added: “Ministers are currently considering the best available evidence, including the Gambling Commission’s recent statistics, and the full range of gambling policy and will update in due course.” Effective August, the Gambling Commission implemented new safeguards designed to deter young individuals from engaging in illegal gambling. All licensed gambling providers are now required to verify the age of any individual appearing to be under 25. Tim Miller, who oversees research for the Gambling Commission, noted that while the commission can reinforce protections for regulated gambling forms, “young people often gamble in ways that do not require regulation, such as betting with their friends. ” He further cautioned: “Yet these forms of gambling can also lead to some experiencing harm.” Slightly more than one in twenty of the surveyed individuals who had used their own money for gambling reported that it had, at least occasionally, hindered their ability to focus on schoolwork. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.