Monday, 13th July 2026: The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is encouraging parents and guardians to be alert to the signs of gambling among young people and to intervene early to prevent gambling harm.
The signs of gambling aren’t always visible, the GRAI in partnership with the Health Service Executive Addiction Services have developed dedicated advice on www.grai.ie to equip families with the knowledge to recognise the signs, advice on how to start the conversation with their children about gambling, and where to seek help if required.
To support the guidance, the GRAI has launched a national public awareness campaign across video on demand, radio, digital audio, and social media platforms, bringing this message directly to families across Ireland.
With the lines between entertainment and gambling increasingly blurred, especially online, what may look like harmless fun can still involve risk, money, and chance in ways that affect young developing brains. Research commissioned by the GRAI and conducted by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) found that children who gamble are twice as likely to develop a gambling problem as adults.
Speaking about the risk of gambling in young people, Anne Marie Caulfield, CEO of the GRAI said:
“We have launched this campaign to help parents start an important conversation about the risks of underage gambling. Children and young people are among the most at-risk members of Irish society when it comes to gambling exposure and harm. Children’s brains are still developing the judgement and impulse-control systems used to weigh up risk, which makes gambling appealing to them.
With online gambling available at any time of the day, it is easy for the warning signs to be hidden. The guidance the GRAI developed with the HSE Addiction Services sets out some of the key behavioural signs to look out for in your child.”
What parents can do
Spotting the signs can help to start open and honest conversations early. One conversation won’t be enough, but it will open the lines of communications. From there, changes in behaviour can be made, or help can be sought to get them back on the right track.
Talk to your child early and keep talking. Children encounter gambling long before they’re aware of what it is for example, through advertising, gambling at home or at sporting events, so the earlier the conversation starts, the better. Parents are advised to talk to their children early about gambling in age-appropriate terms and to keep checking in. These talks don’t need to be long. Keep things simple. Think of it as an ongoing, open conversation you will have with them as they grow up. This will help them understand the risks and make better choices.
Know where gambling shows up. It isn’t just bookmakers. Gaming can also expose children to gambling-style risk taking. Loot boxes and other randomised rewards get children used to paying money for an uncertain outcome, even though the games themselves aren’t classified as gambling. Young people age 12-17 can face a lot of pressure to gamble. This includes from friends or sports teammates. Listen to them and let them know you are on their side. Tell them how young people’s brains are still developing. This makes gambling appealing to them, but it also puts them at risk. And make it clear to them that you do not want them to gamble while they are under 18 and why.
Keep an eye out for the signs. If a young person starts talking more about gambling or has been asking for more/to borrow money these could be signs of gambling. It’s also important to look out for abnormal behaviours such as increased moodiness, guilt or anger, lying about where money is going or the amount of time playing games, dropped school performance, withdrawal from friends or activities, and poor sleep, tiredness and distraction.
Child protection is one of the key principles of the Gambling Regulation Act 2024 and once the Act is fully commenced, Ireland will have among the heaviest penalties in the EU for allowing children to engage in gambling.
For more information on identifying the signs of underage gambling and the supports available, visit www.grai.ie
