Research among young people showed gambling starts at 11

Gambling begins as early as the age of 11, fuelled by parents who encourage their kids to play computer games and betting-simulation applications.

Videogames with gambling elements

CQUniversity’s NSW Youth Gambling Study 2020, a poll of 551 young people in a variety of focus groups commissioned by the NSW office of Responsible gambling, found out that around 40% of children aged 12 to 17 years of age play computer games that look like gambling.

Despite the illicit status of underage gambling, 30% of responding minors say they’ve made at list a bet for money in the past year, with the most popular types of gambling being bingo, iGaming and supermarket sportsbetting, scratch-off and lottery tickets and illegal poker games taking place at school.

According to the Director of the NSW office of Responsible Gambling, Natalie Wright, there is a alarming pattern of overlap between innocent games and gambling, owing to the different types of loot boxes, automated grab bags and others introduced in video games that encourage real money spending and enhance the chance of possible harm from gambling.

Parents assist their underage kids in gambling

The study showed that 54% of the children were playing with a parent or guardian, while in 20% of cases it’s of grandparents responsibility. It points out that 3.7% of teenagers are either at risk of developing or displaying symptoms of gambling issues.

About 58% of those who play came from households where gambling happens with parents, and the most popular method for young people to face online gambling was via a parent’s account with parent’s consent, and in some situations money is directly given to their kids for gambling purposes.

Gambling Ads

The second ranked factor contributing to early-age gambling activity is expanded exposure to gambling advertisements, as 46% of the responding kids indicated that they had seen commercials on TV while watching sports and race broadcasts.

Reverend Tim Costello, chief supporter of Alliance for Gambling Reform, described loot boxes as “serving like a pathway to gambling,” having kids addicted at an early age and making it seem like gambling is a natural part of sport.

In fact, about two-thirds of respondents said they opened or bought a loot box in the past year, while another study pointed out that 33% of young people spend AU$10 a month on loot boxes.

Children’s addiction to gambling apps raises their likelihood of being addicted in their childhood when they gradually rewire their minds.

Gambling should be classified as a health disorder in the same group as opioid addictions according to a study on gambling released in Lancet Public Health.

So, if you think you might be at risk, please, ask for help and support in one of the professional organizations:

• Gamblers Anonymous
• GamCare
• Gambling Therapy

All the online casinos you will be able to find on our website are carefully examined as for trustworthiness and highest attention to responsible gambling. We always review how this topic of paramount importance is covered and whether the operators have means to provide help for problem players.