The proportion of young people aged 11-17 in Great Britain experiencing gambling-related problems remained stable in 2025, according to a new report from the Gambling Commission, but concerns remain as to why this rate has not declined.
Problem gambling data was among several key statistics included in the regulator’s “Young People and Gambling 2025” report. Produced by Ipsos, the report is based on data collected from 3,666 pupils within the 11-17 age group in Britain.
Key findings included the problem gambling rate among those young people who responded to the questionnaire. Those in this category said they had undertaken four or more behaviours or activities in a youth-adapted problem gambling screen.
Some 1.2% of respondents fell into the problem gambling category, which the commission said was “statistically stable” with last year’s rate of 1.5%. Those who scored two or three were seen as “at risk”, with 2.2% in this category. A further 27% scored one or zero and were classed as not experiencing problems with gambling.
Findings were based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition – Multiple Response Juvenile (DSM-IV-MR-J) screen. This psychometric tool is used to give young people a score for gambling harms similar to the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PSGI).
DSM-IV-MR-J features nine items to assess if those who gamble are defined as experiencing problems. Among these are thinking about or planning to gamble, using gambling to escape problems, and gambling leading to arguments with family or friends.
More youngsters spending their own money on gambling
Other stand-out findings from the report include that 49% of pupils surveyed participated in gambling in some form during the past 12 months. Of those who gambled, 30% spent their own money, a slight increase from 27% in the previous year.
The reason for this increase, the commission said, was primarily a rise in unregulated gambling. Some 18% of young people who gambled did so via an unregulated vertical, a rise from 15% in 2024.
The most popular form of gambling young people spent their own money on was either legal or did not feature age-restricted products. Some 21% played arcade gaming machines such as penny pushers, 14% bet with friends or family, while 5% played cards for money with friends or family.
It was also noted that 23% of respondents spent their own money on regulated gambling, including arcade gaming machines. When these machines were removed, the rate fell to 6%, in line with last year.
Social media influencers promoting gambling
The report also flagged lasting concerns over the impact of social media advertising on young peoples’ gambling habits.
Some 49% said they saw gambling adverts on social media at least once a week, while 47% reported seeing ads within apps. Boys were seemingly most exposed, with 53% reporting seeing ads on YouTube, compared to 31% of girls.
Also on social media, the commission raised the issue of influencers. Of those surveyed, 31% who saw gambling content on social media reported influencers who advertised such content.
As to why young people choose to gamble, 78% who used their own money said they did so as they saw gambling as a “fun” activity. Some 36% gambled to win something, even if it was not a big prize, while 34% wanted to win money.
In terms of other impact on the behaviour of young people, 29% said they had seen family members they live with gamble. Of this group, 7% indicated it had resulted in arguments or tension at home. However, 9% said gambling by a family member helped to pay for things like holidays.
Commission commits to improved protection
Commenting on the report, Tim Miller, executive director of research and policy for the Gambling Commission, played down the increase in gambling activity among young people.
He said that rather than children being encouraged or allowed to gamble driving the rise, it was higher participation in gambling that is either legal or does not require regulation, such as private betting between friends.
“Even with that increased participation, the percentage of those scoring four or more on the youth-adapted problem gambling screen has not increased but has moved from 1.5% last year to 1.2% this year, which is classed as statistically stable,” he said.
However, Miller said the commission would use the latest dataset to consider how the regulator can further improve protection measures for young people in Britain.
“Where it relates to regulated forms of gambling, we use the data to continuously keep under review and, where needed, strengthen the suite of protections for young people that we require gambling companies to have in place,” he said.
Some 1.2% of young people in Britain were classed as having a problem with gambling, according to the Gambling Commission report.