Half Of Older Children Experienced Gambling In Last Year, Regulator
Half of 11 to 17-year-olds experienced betting over the previous year and 30% spent their own cash doing so, according to latest figures.
Those taking part in betting with their own cash is up from 27% in 2024, the Gambling Commission's annual Young People and Gambling Report said.
However, the regulator stated the research study showed that it was not children being encouraged or enabled to gamble underage that was driving the boost but instead increased participation in betting that was either legal or did not need guideline, such as personal wagering in between pals.
Each year this report further enhances understanding of the in between youths and betting
Tim Miller, Gambling Commission
The percentage of kids experiencing problems with their gambling was 1.2%, which the commission referred to as "statistically steady" with 2024's 1.5%.
The study was carried out among 3,666 11 to 17-year-olds participating in academies, preserved and independent schools in England, Scotland and Wales, with pupils finishing online self-completion surveys in class.
The most typical types of gambling that youths invested their own cash on stayed those that were legal or not age-restricted, many typically arcade gaming makers such as cent pusher or claw grab devices (21%), followed by positioning a bet for cash between pals or family (14%) and playing cards with good friends or household for cash (5%).
Arcade gaming was one of the most common kinds of gambing amongst children, the report found (Alamy/PA)
Tim Miller, the Gambling Commission's executive director of research study and policy, stated: "Each year this report further strengthens understanding of the relationship between youths and gaming.
"We have actually seen an increase in involvement in gambling - 27% in 2024 compared to 30% in 2025.
"The research shows that it is not kids being motivated or allowed to bet minor driving this boost - it is the increased participation in betting that is either legal or does not need guideline, such as personal wagering between buddies.
"Even with that increased participation, the portion of those scoring four or more on the youth-adapted problem gambling screen has actually not increased but has actually moved from 1.5% in 2015 to 1.2% this year, which is classed as statistically steady.
"Where it relates to regulated types of gambling, we use the information to constantly keep under evaluation and, where required, strengthen the suite of protections for youths that we require betting business to have in place."
Will Prochaska, who leads the Coalition to End Gambling Ads, stated: "The percentage of kids gambling and experiencing problems is frightening and driven by common advertising pushed to them through sport, computer system games, and by online influencers.
"If the Government is major about its manifesto dedication to lower betting damage it must do something about it on gambling marketing."