This first section of the report examines young people’s active involvement in gambling, which is self-reported experience of spending their own money on gambling over the last 12 months.

Throughout this chapter we make comparisons to the data in 2022. However, it should be noted that the 2022 sample did not include year 12 pupils or independent schools, so any differences are indicative only.

Just over one quarter (26 percent) of 11 to 17 year olds were actively involved in gambling in the last 12 months, having spent their own money on gambling activities. They were most likely to have spent their own money on types of gambling activity that are legal or do not feature age restricted products such as penny pusher or claw grab arcade games (19 percent) or bet for money between friends or family (11 percent).

Using the youth-adapted problem gambling screen, the survey identified 0.7 percent of 11 to 17 year olds as problem gamblers, 1.5 percent as at risk and 23 percent as non-problem gamblers. Young people who define themselves as white were more likely to be identified as non-problem gamblers than those from a black or minority ethnic group and those aged 11 to 13 years old were more likely to be categorised as problem gamblers than those aged 14 to 16 years but not more likely than 17 year olds.

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Young people's active involvement in gambling

Last updated: 16 November 2023

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Young People and Gambling 2023

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