8 key findings: Report indicates decrease in gambling among British youth

Shirley Pulis Xerxen November 20, 2023

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8 key findings: Report indicates decrease in gambling among British youth

A recent report published by the UK Gambling Commission indicates a significant decrease in gambling among British 11-17 year olds. The report delves into the exposure and participation of young individuals in both regulated and unregulated gambling activities, along with the prevalence of gambling-related issues.

The data presented in the UKGC report is derived from the annual Young People and Gambling Survey conducted in 2023 by Ipsos on behalf of the Gambling Commission. The survey encompassed 3,453 students aged 11 to 17 across curriculum years 7 to 12 (S1 to S6 in Scotland), including participants from independent schools for the first time. The survey, conducted using the Ipsos Young People Omnibus, involved online self-report surveys conducted in classrooms between February and July 2023.

Unlike previous surveys focusing on gambling behaviour among 11 to 16-year-olds, this year’s study includes data from 17-year-olds. This expansion enhances our understanding of youth gambling behaviour but warrants caution when comparing with data from previous surveys.

Key Findings:

About 26 percent of 11 to 17-year-olds used their own money for gambling activities in the twelve months preceding the survey, reflecting a 5 percent decrease from 2022.
Common gambling activities among young people involved legal or non-age-restricted products, such as playing arcade gaming machines (19 percent), placing bets among friends or family (11 percent), and playing cards for money with friends or family (5 percent).
Nineteen percent of young people engaged in regulated forms of gambling in the past year, decreasing to 4 percent when excluding ‘arcade gaming machines’ from the definition of regulated gambling.
The youth-adapted problem gambling screen identified 0.7 percent as problem gamblers, 1.5 percent as at-risk gamblers, and 23 percent as non-problem gamblers, with declines in problem and at-risk gambling since 2022.
Over half of young people encountered gambling advertising online (53 percent) or offline (55 percent), showing a decline from 2022 figures.
Television (47 percent) and apps (45 percent) were the most common platforms for young people to encounter gambling advertisements.
Eighty percent of young gamblers did so for fun, while only 17 percent agreed that gambling made them happy. A significant proportion (29 percent) disagreed with the notion, and 28 percent were unsure.
Thirty percent of young people witnessed family members gamble, with 10 percent reporting resulting arguments or tension. However, 12 percent mentioned that family gambling helped cover expenses at home, such as holidays, trips, or club memberships.

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