Most (78 percent) young people who spent their own money gambling in the last 12 months, did so because they regard it as a fun thing to do (as shown as follows in Figure 22). This is by far the most common reason given for gambling.

However, the prospect of winning money is a key driver for some young people. Over a third (36 percent) gambled because they felt they had a good chance of winning something (even if not a big prize), while a quarter (24 percent) said they gambled because they thought they could win a jackpot or big prize. Over three in ten (32 percent) said they gambled with the intention of winning money.

For a third (35 percent) of young people their reason for gambling was that it gave them something to do. A similar proportion cited the simplicity of the games as a reason for gambling (34 percent).

Figure 22: Thinking about when you have spent your money on ... in the last 12 months, why did you do this?

A bar chart showing the reasons why young people spent money on gambling activities in the last 12 months. Data from the chart is provided within the following table.

Figure 22 information

GC_SPENDWHY. Thinking about when you have spent your money on ... in the past 12 months, why did you do this?
Base: All participants (answering) who spent their own money in the last 12 months on... (789).
Note: This is a multiple response question, so the responses shown will not add up to 100 percent.

Figure 22: Thinking about when you have spent your money on ... in the last 12 months, why did you do this?
Reasons for gambling – top twelve responses	Percentage (multiple response question, therefore answers do not sum to 100 percent)
Because it's fun	78%
I have a good chance of winning something (even if not a big prize or jackpot)	36%
It gives me something to do	35%
The games are simple to play	34%
To try to win money	32%
To get a buzz and/or because it is exciting	24%
I have a chance to win a jackpot or big prize	24%
Because I like to take risks	23%
Because it helps me and/or cheers me up when I feel down, nervous or in a bad mood	16%
Because it's cool	13%
Because it's something my parents and/or guardians do	10%
Because money goes to good causes	10%

There were variations in reasons given for gambling based on the types of activities they participated in. Young people who gamble ‘because it’s fun’ were more likely to be gambling on arcade gaming machines (81 percent). Those who say they are trying to win money are more likely to be playing cards for money between friends or family (50 percent).

Reasons for gambling in the last 12 months, among young people who spent their own money, differed most notably by gender. For instance, girls (86 percent) were more likely to spend their money on playing arcade games because it is fun than boys (76 percent). Whereas boys were more likely than girls to play arcade games because they were simple (41 percent compared with 32 percent) or to try to win money (27 percent compared with 16 percent).

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Why young people don’t gamble

Last updated: 9 November 2022

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Young People and Gambling 2022: Official statistics

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Reasons why young people gamble

Figure 22: Thinking about when you have spent your money on ... in the last 12 months, why did you do this?

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