Underage gambling branded a generational scandal

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) called on regulators, industry, parents and guardians to collaborate following the release of a new study today on underage problem gambling, the results of which the Church of England has branded a “generational scandal”.

The UKGC’s ‘Young People and Gambling Report’ found underage problem gamblers in the United Kingdom had quadrupled to over 50,000 in two years.

“Protecting children from the harms that can come from gambling remains one of our highest priorities,” Tim Miller, Executive Director at the Gambling Commission, said.

“In the areas we have regulatory control, we continue to strengthen the protections in place to prevent underage gambling, such as our recent proposals for enhanced age verifications checks for online gambling.”

The audit reports that despite an increase in gambling by children aged between 11 and 16 years old, just 19 percent of children said their parents had set restrictions on gambling.

“It is vital that all those with a part to play in protecting children and young people – parents, businesses and regulators – work together,” Miller said.

Key findings of the report include:

14 percent of 11-16 year olds had spent their own money on gambling in the past week, a 12 percent increase over 2017 but lower than rates seen prior to 2017.  This compared to 13 percent who had drunk alcohol in the past week, 4 percent who had smoked cigarettes and 2 percent who had taken illegal drugs.

The principal forms of gambling in the past week were placing a private bet for money with friends (6 percent), National Lottery scratchcards (4 percent), fruit/slot machines (3 percent) and playing cards for money with friends (3 percent).

Young people who had gambled in the past week spent an average of GBP 16 on gambling during this period.  Over the past 12 months, 39 percent of 11-16 year olds have spent their own money on gambling.

6 percent have gambled online using a parent or guardian’s account, 31 percent have ever opened loot boxes in a computer game or app, to try to acquire in-game items, while 3 percent claim to have ever bet with in-game items (so called ‘skins’ gambling).

59 of children in the sample agree that gambling is dangerous and only 14 percent agree that it is OK for someone their age to gamble.

49 percent of respondents said that someone had spoken to them about the problems that gambling can lead to, with the conversation typically taking place with a parent (40 percent) or teacher (21 percent).

60 percent of young people think their parents would prefer them not to gamble at all, however only 19 percent said their parents set strict rules about gambling with no negotiation.

1.7 percent of 11-16 year olds are classified as ‘problem’ gamblers, 2.2 percent as ‘at risk’.

“Today’s findings by the Gambling Commission make worrying reading and serve as a warning to parents,” Right Reverand Alan Smith, the bishop of St Albans, said in an interview with The Guardian.

“After years of progress, it seems the rates of children gambling are creeping back up. These figures suggest 450,000 11- to 16-year-olds have gambled in the past week – that is deeply concerning. We need to start taking the dangers of gambling seriously.”

The full report can be read here.

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