Half Of Older Children Experienced Gambling In Last Year, Regulator


Half of 11 to 17-year-olds experienced betting 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 stated the research study showed that it was not children being encouraged or enabled to gamble underage that was driving the boost but instead increased participation in gambling that was either legal or did not require policy, such as personal wagering between friends.


Each year this report even more reinforces understanding of the relationship between youths and betting


Tim Miller, Gambling Commission


The percentage of issues with their betting was 1.2%, which the commission described as "statistically steady" with 2024's 1.5%.


The survey was performed among 3,666 11 to 17-year-olds going to academies, maintained and independent schools in England, Scotland and Wales, with pupils finishing online self-completion studies in class.


The most common types of betting that young individuals invested their own money on remained those that were legal or not age-restricted, many frequently arcade gaming devices such as penny pusher or claw grab machines (21%), followed by putting a bet for money in between buddies or household (14%) and playing cards with pals or family for money (5%).


Arcade video gaming was among the most typical forms of gambing among children, the report found (Alamy/PA)


Tim Miller, the Gambling Commission's executive director of research and policy, said: "Each year this report even more strengthens understanding of the relationship in between young individuals and gaming.


"We have seen an increase in participation in betting - 27% in 2024 compared to 30% in 2025.


"The research reveals that it is not children being motivated or permitted to bet underage driving this boost - it is the increased participation in betting that is either legal or does not require guideline, such as personal betting in between friends.


"Even with that increased involvement, the portion of those scoring 4 or more on the youth-adapted issue gambling screen has not increased however has moved from 1.5% in 2015 to 1.2% this year, which is classified as statistically steady.


"Where it relates to regulated types of gambling, we utilize the information to constantly keep under evaluation and, where needed, reinforce the suite of defenses for young people that we require betting business to have in location."


Will Prochaska, who leads the Coalition to End Gambling Ads, said: "The proportion of kids gambling and experiencing issues is frightening and driven by ubiquitous marketing pushed to them through sport, video game, and by online influencers.


"If the Government is major about its manifesto commitment to minimize gambling damage it need to do something about it on gambling marketing."