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% spent their own cash doing so, according to latest figures.
Those taking part in gambling with their own cash is up from 27% in 2024, the yearly Youth and Gambling Report said.
However, the regulator said the research revealed that it was not kids being motivated or permitted to bet underage that was driving the increase however instead increased involvement in betting that was either legal or did not require policy, such as personal betting between pals.
Each year this report even more reinforces understanding of the relationship in between youths and betting
Tim Miller, Gambling Commission
The percentage of kids experiencing issues with their gambling was 1.2%, which the commission referred to as "statistically steady" with 2024's 1.5%.
The study was performed among 3,666 11 to 17-year-olds attending academies, maintained and independent schools in England, Scotland and Wales, with pupils completing online self-completion surveys in class.
The most common types of betting that young individuals spent their own money on stayed those that were legal or not age-restricted, the majority of typically arcade gaming devices such as cent pusher or claw grab makers (21%), followed by putting a bet for money between good friends or family (14%) and playing cards with buddies or family for cash (5%).
Arcade gaming was one of the most typical kinds of gambing amongst children, the report discovered (Alamy/PA)
Tim Miller, the Gambling Commission's executive director of research and policy, said: "Each year this report even more enhances understanding of the relationship in between youths and gaming.
"We have actually seen a boost in involvement in gambling - 27% in 2024 compared to 30% in 2025.
"The research reveals that it is not kids being encouraged or allowed to gamble minor driving this boost - it is the increased participation in betting that is either legal or does not need policy, such as private betting between good friends.
"Even with that increased participation, the percentage of those scoring 4 or more on the youth-adapted problem betting screen has actually not increased however has actually moved from 1.5% in 2015 to 1.2% this year, which is classified as statistically stable.
"Where it associates with regulated types of gambling, we use the data to continually keep under review and, where required, strengthen the suite of securities for young individuals that we need betting companies to have in location."
Will Prochaska, who leads the Coalition to End Gambling Ads, stated: "The proportion of children betting and experiencing issues is frightening and driven by ubiquitous marketing pressed to them through sport, video game, and by online influencers.
"If the Government is major about its manifesto commitment to lower gambling damage it need to act on betting marketing."