Half Of Older Children Experienced Gambling In In 2015, Regulator
Half of 11 to 17-year-olds experienced gambling over the previous year and 30% spent their own cash doing so, according to most current figures.
Those taking part in gambling with their own money is up from 27% in 2024, the Gambling Commission's annual Youth and Gambling Report said.
However, the regulator said the research showed that it was not children being encouraged or allowed to gamble underage that was driving the boost but instead increased involvement in betting that was either legal or did not require guideline, such as personal wagering between pals.
Each year this report even more strengthens understanding of the relationship between young people and gambling
Tim Miller, Gambling Commission
The percentage of children experiencing problems with their gambling was 1.2%, which the commission referred to as "statistically stable" with 2024's 1.5%.
The survey was brought out amongst 3,666 11 to 17-year-olds participating in academies, preserved and independent schools in England, Scotland and Wales, with students finishing online self-completion surveys in class.
The most common kinds of gambling that youths invested their own money on stayed those that were legal or not age-restricted, many commonly arcade video gaming machines such as penny pusher or claw grab devices (21%), followed by putting a bet for cash in between friends or household (14%) and with good friends or household for money (5%).
Arcade gaming was among the most common kinds of gambing amongst children, the report found (Alamy/PA)
Tim Miller, the Gambling Commission's executive director of research and policy, stated: "Each year this report even more reinforces understanding of the relationship in between young individuals and gaming.
"We have actually seen an increase in participation in gaming - 27% in 2024 compared to 30% in 2025.
"The research study shows that it is not children being motivated or enabled to bet underage driving this boost - it is the increased participation in betting that is either legal or does not need policy, such as personal wagering in between good friends.
"Even with that increased participation, the percentage of those scoring 4 or more on the youth-adapted issue gambling screen has not increased however has actually moved from 1.5% in 2015 to 1.2% this year, which is classified as statistically stable.
"Where it connects to regulated kinds of betting, we utilize the data to continuously keep under review and, where required, enhance the suite of protections for young individuals that we need gambling business to have in place."
Will Prochaska, who leads the Coalition to End Gambling Ads, stated: "The percentage of children betting and experiencing issues is frightening and driven by common marketing pressed to them through sport, computer system video games, and by online influencers.
"If the Government is severe about its manifesto dedication to minimize betting damage it need to take action on betting advertising."