Report
Young People and Gambling 2026: Official statistics
Gambling Commission report produced by Ipsos on young people and their gambling behaviour, attitudes and awareness in 2026.
Contents
- Executive summary
- Wider experience of gambling
-
- Summary
- Definitions
- Wider experience and active involvement in gambling
- Experience of different categories of gambling activities
- Experience of different types of gambling activities
- Who young people were with when they experienced gambling
- Being stopped from gambling for being too young
- Gambling in the context of young people’s spare time activities
- Gambling in the context of other risk-taking behaviours
- Active involvement in gambling and experience of problem gambling
- Trends in gambling behaviours: 2022 to 2026
- Young people’s exposure to gambling
- The impact of gambling on young people
- Gambling activities and gaming
- Perspectives on gambling: Awareness, attitudes and behaviours
- Appendices
Who young people were with when they experienced gambling
Gambling was typically a social activity, with fewer than 1 in 10 young people (8%) reporting that they were alone the last time they experienced gambling. Most were with a parent, carer or guardian (73%), while 38% were with a friend aged 17 or younger. Around a quarter (24%) were with a brother or sister aged 17 or younger and 14% were with a brother or sister aged 18 or older.
Figure 1.4: Who young people were with when they experienced gambling activities
Figure 1.4 information
GAMSPEND2. Last time you did [this activity and/or these activities] who were you with?
Base: All 11 to 17 year olds who selected any activity 1 to 17 at GAMSPEND 2026 (2,491).
Note: this is a multiple response question, therefore answers do not sum to 100%.
| Who young people were with when they experienced gambling activities | 2026 (percentage) (this is a multiple response question; therefore, answers do not sum to 100%) |
|---|---|
| Parent(s), carer(s) or guardian(s) | 73% |
| Friend(s) aged 17 or younger | 38% |
| Brother(s) or sister(s) aged 17 or younger | 24% |
| Brother(s) or sister(s) aged 18 or older | 14% |
| I was alone | 8% |
| Friend(s) aged 18 or older | 6% |
| Others | 9% |
| Do not know | 6% |
The pattern of who young people were with when they last gambled is broadly similar to that reported in 2025. There were no significant changes in the proportion who gambled with parents, carers or guardians, friends, or siblings. The proportion of young people who reported gambling alone also remained at 8% in 2026, continuing the decrease observed between 2024 (10%) and 2025 (8%). Overall, the findings suggest that young people's gambling experiences continue to take place predominantly in social settings, particularly with parents, carers or guardians and friends of a similar age.
Table 1.4: Who young people were with when they experienced gambling activities 2025 to 2026
GAMSPEND2. Last time you did [this activity and/or these activities] who were you with?
Base: All answering who selected any activity 1 to 17 at GAMSPEND 2025 (2,542), 2026 (2,491)
Note: This is a multiple response question, therefore answers do not sum to 100%.
| Who young people were with when they experienced gambling activities in 2025 and 2026 | 2025 (percentage) | 2026 (percentage) | Statistical difference 2026 compared with 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent(s), carer(s) or guardian(s) | 75% | 73% | No significant difference |
| Friend(s) aged 17 or younger | 40% | 38% | No significant difference |
| Brother(s) or sister(s) aged 17 or younger | 26% | 24% | No significant difference |
| Brother(s) or sister(s) aged 18 or older | 15% | 14% | No significant difference |
| I was alone | 8% | 8% | No significant difference |
| Friend(s) aged 18 or older | 6% | 6% | No significant difference |
| Others | 9% | 9% | No significant difference |
| Do not know | 6% | 6% | No significant difference |
Experience of different types of gambling activities Next section
Being stopped from gambling for being too young
Last updated: 12 November 2026
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