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Game over: the risks of children gambling

Harmful gambling among children and young people is an increasing concern. Charlotte Goddard explores the problem and what support is available to families and children’s services professionals.
Gambling and gaming can be closely linked, with young people encouraged to spend even more money to progress further in a game they are already heavily invested in. Picture: Belinda Pretorius/Adobe Stock
Gambling and gaming can be closely linked, with young people encouraged to spend even more money to progress further in a game they are already heavily invested in. Picture: Belinda Pretorius/Adobe Stock

There are around 55,000 “problem” gamblers aged 11 to 16 in the UK, according to the National Audit Office, with a further 85,000 estimated to be at risk. A 2019 Gambling Commission survey found 11 per cent of 11- to 16-year-olds said they spent their own money on gambling in the past week.

Young people’s gambling often looks very different to adult gambling but can still have devastating consequences on their education, health and finances. “They are not going into bookies,” says Alexa Roseblade, senior programmes manager at charity GamCare. “A lot of young people are gambling with friends such as making a bet about who will win a race.”

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