Gambling and Young People
Gambling and young people
Young people see gambling ads everywhere. For example online, on TV and in sports. Seeing so many ads can make gambling seem normal and exciting to young people.
The Institute of Public Health in Ireland found that:
almost 1 in 4 people aged 16 said they had gambled for money in the past year
1 in 10 of these gambled a lot
boys were much more likely to gamble than girls
Gambling and children report - publichealth.ie
What is gambling?
Gambling is when you risk money or something of value on an event with an uncertain outcome. You can do this online or offline.
Offline gambling includes:
sports betting
lottery tickets
scratch cards
bingo
casino games
Online gambling can be done on websites, mobile apps, or social media.
It includes:
casino-style mobile games
sports betting
online lotteries
bingo
eSports gambling
fantasy sports
Risks of gambling to young people
In Ireland, you must be aged 18 or over to gamble. This is because gambling can harm young people mentally, emotionally and financially.
How gambling affects young brains
Children and teenagers’ brains are still growing. The parts of the brain that help them make choices and control impulses do not finish developing until about age 25. Because of this, young people are more likely to take risks and gamble without thinking.
Gambling can lead to feelings of:
anxiety
depression
guilt
loneliness
shame
It can also lead to thoughts of self-harm and problems at school for young people.
Who is at risk
All young people are at risk. But some groups are more vulnerable than others.
These include children who:
do not have parents checking what they do
spend a lot of time on social media
use alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, or e-cigarettes
act without thinking or take risks
have trouble focusing
feel anxious or unhappy
have family conflict
have friends or family who gamble or use substances such as alcohol or drugs
Some research suggests a link between gambling and ADHD in young people.
Online gambling
Even though online gambling apps and websites have age limits, many younger people can still get around them.
Online gambling is more risky for young people because it is:
available at any time of the day
easy to access on smartphones and other devices
easy for young people to get past age limits
Sports and gambling
For many people, gambling can add to their enjoyment of games and events. It’s possible to bet on almost every sport.
But research by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) suggests that gambling endangers young people and athletes.
This research shows that:
the risk of problem gambling is 6 times higher among GAA athletes than the other people
you have a higher risk of developing a problem if you start gambling early in life
This is why the GAA bans betting companies from sponsoring clubs or events.
Gaming and gambling
Some online games contain ways to gamble. But these are not always obvious, and young players or parents may not realise they are gambling. They include loot boxes and skin gambling.
Loot boxes
These are virtual treasure chests, that you buy with real money in online games. Loot boxes can also be called ‘crates’, ‘packs’ or ‘supply drops’. They contain random items, which you only see after paying for it. This means you risk money for a chance to win.
Mobile gacha games are similar to loot boxes. Here, you spend in-game money for a chance to win a special item or character.
Skins gambling
Skins gambling is where you bet using virtual items (called skins) that change how game characters look. This type of betting usually happens on platforms away from official game sites that have no age verification or regulation.
HSE helpline
If you think your child has a problem with gambling, contact our helpline for support and information.
Freephone: 1800 459 459 - Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Email: helpline@hse.ie
Talking to your child about gambling
If you think your child is gambling
This advice is created and published in partnership between the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) and the Health Service Executive (HSE) Addiction Services.