Statistics and research release
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.
Summary
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About this statistical release
This publication provides information about young people’s exposure to and involvement in gambling, as well as the impact gambling can have.
The findings presented in this publication are taken from the annual Young People and Gambling Survey, conducted in 2026 by Ipsos on behalf of the Gambling Commission. The study collected data from 3,867 pupils aged 11 to 17 years old across curriculum years 7 to 12 (S1 to S6 in Scotland) attending academies, maintained and independent schools in England, Scotland, and Wales. Pupils completed an online self-report survey in class, fieldwork took place between 12 January and 12 June 2026.
Further details of the Young People and Gambling survey methodology, sampling and weighting processes, quality assurance procedures, and sample profile can be found in the appendices.
Strengths and limitations of our approach are outlined in the Executive Summary of the report.
Guidance on how to use and interpret the findings is set out in the presentation and interpretation of data section in the report.
Findings are compared with previous years of the survey to identify trends. Statistically significant differences are highlighted between 2022 and 2026, though the 2022 sample did not include year 12 pupils or independent schools and so comparisons with this year are indicative only.
Key facts
Active involvement in gambling
Of 11 to 17 year olds, one-quarter (26%) had spent their own money on any gambling activity in the 12 months prior to completing the survey. Participation was more common in non-age-restricted gambling activities (24%) than age-restricted gambling activities (5%).
The most common types of gambling activity that young people spent their own money on were:
- playing arcade gaming machines such as penny pusher or claw grab machines (19%)
- placing a bet for money between friends or family (11%)
- playing cards with friends or family for money (5%).
Analysis of trends in youth gambling between 2022 and 2026 indicates an overall decline in participation, although there were variations across intervening years. The proportion of young people who have spent their own money on gambling declined from 31% in 2022 to 26% in 2026.
Youth adapted problem gambling screen
The proportion of young people who scored 4 or more on the youth-adapted problem gambling screen (DSM-IV-MR-J) and therefore representing a young person experiencing problem gambling was 0.9%. Of young people, 2.0% scored 2 or 3 representing a young person experiencing ‘at risk’ gambling, and 23.1% scored 0 or 1 representing a young person who does not experience any ‘problems’ with their gambling. The proportion scoring 4 or more on the youth adapted problem gambling screen has remained relatively stable since 2022.
Exposure to gambling
Exposure to gambling advertising remains widespread. Almost 9 in 10 young people (89%) recalled seeing or hearing gambling advertising or promotions in the last year. Young people were most likely to report seeing gambling advertisements at least weekly on social media (55%), live streaming or video sharing platforms (53%), television (52%) and apps (51%). Boys were more likely than girls to report seeing gambling adverts across a range of platforms, including live streaming or video sharing platforms (57%, compared with 39%) and at sports events (61%, compared with 42%).
The 2026 survey found that 15% of young people followed gambling-related content on social media or streaming platforms. Among these young people, 38% reported that influencers, creators or streamers they followed had advertised gambling-related content to them.
Around one-third (35%) of young people have seen a family member they live with gamble, rising to 46% among those who had actively participated in gambling.
Perspectives on gambling
Most young people (81%) felt well informed about the risks associated with gambling, while around two-thirds (68%) reported that someone had spoken to them about the potential problems gambling can lead to.
Around 3 in 10 (29%) young people consider themselves risk-takers, with boys and older teenagers more likely to identify with this description. Notably, 38% of those spending their own money on gambling consider themselves risk-takers, significantly higher than the overall average.
Gaming
The survey also continued to explore the relationship between gambling and gaming. Awareness of in-game purchasing features was widespread, with 82% of young people aware of at least one type of in-game item activity. Among those aware of these activities, 84% had used at least one. Across all young people aged 11 to 17, 22% reported opening virtual loot boxes or surprise boxes using their own money.
Details
Definitions
Active involvement in gambling
Young people who spent their own money (defined as any pocket money, birthday money or money they earned themselves) on gambling.
Experience of gambling
Young people who have gambled, but not necessarily spending their own money on doing so.
Experience of problem gambling
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition - Multiple Response Juvenile (DSM-IV-MR-J) screen (opens in new tab) has been applied to the Young People and Gambling Survey dataset assess whether respondents who gamble are experiencing problem gambling. A person who confirmed that they had undertaken 4 or more of the behaviours or actions asked about in the past year was considered a person who is experiencing ‘problem’ gambling, a score of 2 or 3 was used to identify a person experiencing ‘at-risk’ gambling and a score of 0 or 1 indicated a person who is not experiencing any ‘problems’ with their gambling.
Full publication and key information
View the Young People and Gambling 2026 report.
Publication produced by: Ipsos.
Publication authors: Jane Stevens, Evie Cogley, and Lydia Smith.
Supporting documents produced by: Gambling Commission Research and Statistics Team.
Responsible Statisticians: Helen Bryce (Head of Statistics) and Lauren Cole (Research and Impact Manager).
Next release date: November 2027.
Historic datasets
Young People and Gambling Surveys 2011 to 2019, and 2022 to 2025 historic datasets are available on the UK Data Archive.
Interactive dashboard
View our Young People and Gambling 2026 interactive dashboard (opens in new tab)
With this dashboard, you can:
- view and interact with the data
- apply filters to select information of interest.
Accessibility of this dashboard
This dashboard is in Microsoft Power BI which may not fully support all accessibility needs. You can find the source data in the Young people and gambling 2026 data tables (downloads as Excel file).
Some files may not be accessible for users of assistive technology. If you require a copy of the file in an accessible format contact us with details of what you require. It would help us to know what technology you use and the required format.
Notes
This publication is primarily for anyone who has an involvement or interest in the gambling industry including government, licensed operators, trade bodies, international regulators, journalists, academic researchers, financial institutions, statisticians, consumers and local authorities.
Pre-release access to this official statistics release was granted for a period of 24 hours prior to the date set for its publication to the listed people.
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