Online Gambling: What Teens Should Know

Question: Is online gambling or betting harmful? A lot of my friends are talking about it like it is nothing to be worried about. 

Answer: Thank you for asking this question! This is a very important topic, especially as online gambling is becoming more popular. There are many types of gambling, but here are three common categories of online gambling that you might have already heard about: 

• Online gaming-related gambling: These gambling or gambling-like activities occur within a video game environment or involve currency that is video game-related. Some examples include buying “loot boxes” (virtual items in video games that you can buy with real money), or trading or betting in-game items that may have been purchased with real money.  
• Traditional gambling: Gambling that exists outside of a video game environment. Examples include online gambling sites where real money is used (e.g. slots, blackjack, poker with strangers), poker and non-poker games with friends or family for real money (can be online or in person), and lottery or scratch-off tickets (including digital lottery apps). Notice that many of these traditional types of gambling can happen both online and in person. 
• Sports-related gambling: Gambling that is focused on sporting events. This includes betting money on season- or tournament-length contests (e.g. March Madness basketball brackets or fantasy leagues), daily sports (or e-sports) betting, and in-game betting after a game or event has begun. 

How common is online gambling? 

There is not a lot of data on how many teens are involved in online gambling. One recent report in the US found that approximately 36% of adolescent boys aged 11-17 reported gambling between 2024 and 2025. A study of Swedish teens focused on problem gamblers, individuals who felt the need to gamble larger amounts of money to win back money they’d lost and/or those who had lied about gambling to family or friends, and found that 11.7% of 9th grade boys and 13.9% of 11th grade boys and 0.7% of 9th grade girls and 1.2% of 11th grade girls could be classified as problem gamblers. 

With so many different types of online gambling out there, you might notice that you’ve already been exposed to it in a variety of ways, including through online games, digital ads or betting sites, or gambling apps on your phone. Although in most states, certain types of gambling are illegal for minors under 18 or 21 years old, it can be especially easy for teens to begin using online or mobile gambling because of how easy it is to access through a phone, computer, or tablet.  

Why do teens gamble? 

There are several reasons why teens might choose to gamble. A recent report on teen boys found that both individual enjoyment and peer influence might play a role. Teen boys might gamble online because it’s fun or exciting, they think they can make money, gambling is already embedded in a game they enjoy playing (such as accessing harder-to-unlock items or components of the game), or they’ve seen advertisements for gambling. Peer influence may also play a role. For example, this report found 84% of boys whose friends “mostly or always gamble” say they also gamble themselves.  

One important note: Most of the research done on teenage gambling so far has focused on gambling among teen boys. Less is known about gambling among teen girls.  

In addition, because the part of the brain that regulates problem solving, planning, and impulsivity is still developing into your early twenties, teens may be particularly prone to risk-taking behaviors like gambling. 

Potential Harms of Online Gambling 

While gambling may seem like a fun hobby or an “easy way to make money,” gambling companies profit from this misleading perception. Gambling can have serious negative consequences, including significant financial losses, and it can harm your mental and physical health.  

One report showed that 27% of the boys who gamble reported negative effects, such as stress or conflict with family members. Another summary of many different studies showed that participating in online gambling can lower the mood of the participant. Problem gambling is also associated with poorer sleep, an increased risk of substance use, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other emotional problems. 

Individuals who gamble can also spend more money than they had planned, which can create financial challenges. In fact, 17% of adolescent boys who gamble reported spending more than they intended. We’ve heard stories about teens who spent their savings on gambling or who took money from their parents to use for gambling without their parents’ knowledge. Not only can this cause financial trouble, but it can also cause strain on relationships. 

Researchers have also found that teens who play simulated gambling games than do not involve real money, such as playing a virtual slot machine for points, are more likely to later start gambling with real money and are at a higher risk for developing gambling problems.  

Tips and Resources for Teens 

In most states, gambling is illegal for minors due to potential adverse health effects. If you have concerns about your online gambling behavior, a great first step is talking to your parents, a trusted adult, or your pediatrician.  

The National Problem Gambling Hotline has many options to seek support if you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, including calling their helpline (1-800-MY-RESET), texting, and using their online chat. They also have many online resources, such as commonly asked questions and a gambling behavior self-assessment.  

Gambler’s Anonymous provides free support groups for people who are experiencing a gambling problem. 

If are just curious and want to learn more, then educating yourself about gambling and its risks, as well as learning to spot advertisements for gambling and betting, is a good place to start. The National Problem Gambling Helpline has many interesting resources you might want to check out. 

Age: 10-24 

Topics: Gambling, online gambling, betting, digital betting, teens 

Role: Adolescent