Research Highlights the Risks Gambling Has on Young People

New research from Bournemouth University has uncovered concerning risks associated with various types of gambling for young people.

The project, led by Dr Ruijie Wang and his team, looked at data from a large survey involving over 40,000 people from across Great Britain, collected over three years.

The survey focused on different types of gambling activities—like physical slot machines, online casino games, sports betting, horse and dog racing, and even loot boxes in video games.

The study was commissioned by the independent charity GambleAware and aimed to understand how different gambling environments affect players.

Key findings from the report

- A staggering 76% of people who used physical gambling machines or played online casino games showed signs of "problem gambling."

- Young adults, particularly those aged 18 to 34, were more likely to gamble using machines at betting shops or casinos compared to older adults (55 and above). These activities are closely linked to a higher risk of gambling problems.

- The National Lottery also impacts a lot of people, with about 600,000 players facing gambling issues. Similarly, 500,000 people who use scratch cards are experiencing problems as well.

- People who engage in multiple forms of gambling significantly increase their chances of facing gambling-related harm.

- Loot boxes, which are often included in video games for younger players, can blur the line between gaming and gambling. Half of those who engage with loot boxes showed some level of gambling risk.

Next steps

The report urges for stricter controls on physical gambling machines. Suggestions include reducing the number of machines in venues, slowing down the speed at which games operate, lowering the maximum stakes players can bet, and requiring breaks during gameplay.

Additionally, it recommends enhancing protections for online games and limiting access to gambling-like features, such as loot boxes, for anyone under 18.

For further information about responsible gambling you can read our guides.