Report
Lived experiences of gambling in teenage boys and young men: Qualitative research
Qualitative research to explore the lived experiences of teenage boys and young men aged 14 to 25 years.
Contents
- About the research
- Summary of findings
- Research approach
- Findings
-
- Gambling literacy is low and often surface-level
- Gaming as a potential entry point to gambling
- Turning 18 marks a formal transition to "adult" gambling
- Gambling embedded in social life is more likely to persist
- Money matters more with age and experience
- Online exposure makes gambling feel ever-present
- Risks, impacts, and warning signs
- Conclusions
- Appendix
3 - Turning 18 marks a formal transition to "adult" gambling
Becoming 18 represents a symbolic and practical milestone for young men - the point at which gambling becomes legal and (more) accessible. This age marks both newfound independence and a sense of entry into adulthood, with gambling often serving as a rite of passage shared among peers.
A moment of independence and legitimacy
For many participants, their first legal bet coincided with other age-related freedoms such as buying alcohol or entering a casino. Gambling was described as a small but meaningful expression of independence - something they could now do without adult oversight.
"I realised now I’m 18, I can legally go to a shop and buy alcohol and scratchcards… I thought, you know what, I’m going to try it, see what happens."
18 year old, lower gambling activity
"The next progression would have been when I was old enough to legally gamble, so at college when I was 18. And that would be betting on sports online or on an app… it was like, oh, what can I do now I’m 18 and I can sign up to these apps and it’s legal. So sort of like, may as well just try it."
23 year old, lower gambling activity
Access, opportunity, and peer influence
Reaching the legal threshold also coincided with easier access - online, in shops, and in casinos. Participants described a sense of excitement and curiosity about trying something previously off-limits, often encouraged by friends who were also beginning to gamble.
"It was my mate’s 18th, we went bowling and we were finished, and the casino was next door. So we just thought… should we go? We went in… sat down, watched everyone play, got free drinks… it was just intrigue, like we wanted to try it. A lot of it was about being with mates."
20 year old, higher gambling activity
A social gateway into adult life
Gambling was rarely a solitary pursuit at first. Participants framed early experiences as social, part of spending time with friends and sharing excitement, rather than chasing financial reward.
"Every time we get together, we’ll have some sort of friendly bet going on… even if we’re just playing pool, the loser has to buy a round of shots… it’s pretty regular. It’s more about the fun and the social side of it."
24 year old, lower gambling activity
The transition to adulthood therefore brought gambling into young men’s social worlds as an ingrained and often celebrated behaviour - something to share and discuss within friendship groups.
Mapping the spectrum of gambling experiences
Across this research sample, teenage boys and young men described a clear spectrum of gambling and gambling-like experiences, stretching from light, low-stakes play in childhood through to activities that become legally accessible at 18, such as online sports betting and casino-style gambling. This continuum reflects both the increasing independence of participants and the progressive prevalence of gambling-type behaviours over time.
At one end sit activities that felt harmless and socially acceptable, such as arcade machines, claw grabs or collectible card packs, often played with family members and rarely recognised as "gambling".
In the middle are the "in-between" activities (for example, loot boxes or private betting with friends) which replicate many of the same mechanisms as gambling (risk, chance, potential reward) but occur in social or gaming contexts that make them feel benign.
Finally, the upper end of the spectrum involves age-restricted gambling (such as sports betting, scratchcards and online casino play) characterised by higher stakes, individual participation and greater risk of financial or emotional harm.
"You drop a little two pound in there… I never thought of that as gambling before."
16 year old, higher gambling activity
This "spectrum" shows how early, everyday encounters with gambling-like activities can make later participation feel natural and familiar. By the time they reached 18, many research participants had already internalised the language, behaviours, and attitudes that underpin adult gambling – patterns that also reflect wider developmental processes, such as increasing autonomy, experimentation, and social influence.
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Gambling embedded in social life is more likely to persist
Last updated: 11 December 2025
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