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Report

Young People and Gambling 2023: Official statistics

Gambling Commission report produced by Ipsos on young people and their gambling behaviour, attitudes and awareness in 2023.

Contents


Reasons why young people gamble

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 (Figure 23). 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 one third (35 percent) gambled because they felt they had a good chance of winning something (even if not a big prize), while one quarter (25 percent) said they gambled because they thought they could win a jackpot or big prize. Almost one third (32 percent) said they gambled with the intention of winning money.

For three in ten (29 percent) young people, their reason for gambling was the simplicity of the games they played. A similar proportion cited that it gave them something to do (28 percent).

Figure 23: 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. Data from the chart is provided within the following table.

Figure 23 information

GC_SPENDWHY. Thinking about when you have spent your money on ... in the past 12 months, why did you do this?
Base: All 11 to 17 year olds (answering) who spent their own money in the last 12 months on... (879).
Note: This is a multiple response question, so the responses shown will not add up to 100 percent

Figure 23: Thinking about when you have spent your money on... in the last 12 months, why did you do this?
Reasons for gambling – top ten 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) 35%
To try to win money 32%
The games are simple to play 29%
It gives me something to do 28%
I have a chance to win a jackpot or big prize 25%
To get a buzz and/or because it is exciting 21%
Because I like to take risks 19%
Because it helps me and/or cheers me up when I feel down, nervous or in a bad mood 14%
Because it's cool 12%
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Setting gambling in the context of other activities
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Why young people do not gamble
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