Preventive Gambling Programs for Adolescents and Young Adults: A Systematic Review

The repercussions range from country to country, however they can include fines and a loss of license. Some countries even have different age requirements for different types of gambling, for example, the minimum age to buy a lottery ticket in the UK was increased in 2021 to 18 from 16 years old. According to the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors, between 60% and 80% of high schoolers say they’ve gambled for money, with khelo24 a potential 6% being addicted to gambling. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. IGamingCare is dedicated to promoting player wellbeing and responsible gaming.

These systems often require users to provide identification and undergo verification checks before participating in gambling activities. Massachusetts Massachusetts has a comprehensive set of gambling laws regulating casinos and sports betting, with the legal gambling age set at 21. We can also use specialized software to set restrictions and keep an eye on our children’s online activity.

How Online Casinos Attempt to Prevent Underage Gambling

Through all these experiences, Paruyr has been shaping and influencing the betting industry, setting new trends and standards. This can cause debt to increase, bad mental health, family problems, and poor academic performance. There are also several tips for parents whose children are already gambling. It’s also worth thinking about how often you use gambling language to encourage children. The less your child is exposed to poker machines, the lottery, scratchy cards or sports bets, the less likely they are to see gambling as fun. For example, if your child is having a hard time at home or school, gambling can seem like a fun way to cope with boredom or escape from stress or other problems.

If you find any bets or transactions you did not authorize, contact the betting site immediately. Henry noted that the activities are among the usual initiatives executed by RISE Life Management Services. This upfront approach is currently one of the strongest deterrents in the industry. Although not flawless (as minors can still potentially use their parents’ information), it sets a regulatory standard that other jurisdictions have yet to match. Among those who reported gambling, two-thirds said they had done so online.

There were exceptions, however, such as the study by Chóliz, Marcos, and Bueno (2021) 38, which consisted of two sessions. There was also one program that included an optional reinforcement session 49. To assess the quality of the studies, we used the assessment tool developed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, one for controlled intervention studies and one for single-arm studies.

How Know Your Customer (KYC) Prevents Underage Gambling

In addition, a chain search, also known as snowballing sampling, was conducted to find new articles from those already selected 33.

• If you do choose to gamble, you can help your child avoid problems by making sure they know how gambling activities work.
• All studies targeted the educational setting, i.e., high school and university students.
• You could also explain that gambling companies are set up to make more money than they pay out to gamblers.
• Underage gambling can result in severe legal and financial consequences and poses a risk to vulnerable children.
• A child caught gambling can face cash fines and potentially six months of jail time.

Beyond legal consequences, underage gamblers may also face disciplinary actions from parents and educational institutions. These actions can include suspension from school, loss of privileges at home, and mandatory counseling sessions. Both federal laws and state laws play crucial roles in regulating underage gambling. While federal laws provide a framework, state-specific laws address the nuances and local attitudes toward gambling. For example, some states may allow individuals to gamble at 18, while others may set the legal gambling age at 21.

For example, in New Jersey, the legal gambling age for Atlantic City Casinos is 21. The age minimum for gambling is strictly enforced in most states, with severe penalties for those who facilitate or engage in underage gambling. If you or someone you know is battling gambling addiction, contact the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) or Gamblers Anonymous. Of course, real money investment in game mechanics can lead to the habit of gambling and risk-taking. But even without criminal charges, teenagers can be burdened with serious financial, psychological, and other problems. If you do choose to gamble, you can help your child avoid problems by making sure they know how gambling activities work.

Most of the programs involved dynamic and interactive sessions (90.6%; the only ones that did not were those carried out with college students 42,45,58), and were held in school hours and at the actual educational facility. Their main aims were to raise awareness in young people of the consequences that gambling can have, correct possible biases, develop different skills, and encourage critical thought and self-control. They typically made use of debates, presentations, testimonials, and video projections, among others. Special mention should be made of the study by Ren, Moberg, and Scuffham (2019) 43, which offered activities that involved families, an essential point for preventing and dealing with gambling-related problems. Furthermore, four studies found that such improvements were maintained in the long term 46,51,54,60.

With tools like the Self-Assessment Test, Safer Gambling Guide, and Proactive Monitoring Tips, we empower informed choices, promote balance, and set high standards for player protection. We remind you that you should regularly update the software or app you use to protect your children. Customize the settings according to your kids’ age and open a conversation on why they should proceed with caution when it comes to gambling. In 2013, Paruyr entered the sports and betting industry as the founder and president of Bookmaker Rating, an online media platform he led until 2020.

According to the American Gaming Association, underage gamblers should be restricted from accessing gambling in a casino, online, through a mobile, in-room, or even found loitering on a casino floor. Preventative policies should be uniformly applied to and enforced within a venue and online. In contrast, online casinos licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) are required to verify a player’s age and identity before any gambling activity can take place. Many online casinos claim to have measures in place to prevent minors from gambling, but the effectiveness of these measures varies significantly depending on regulation — or lack thereof.

Notably, 18-year-olds were the most likely to gamble online (12%), while 13-year-olds had a lower online participation rate of 8%. According to the 2024 European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD), 23% of 15–16-year-olds across 37 European countries reported having gambled for money in the past year—either in person or online. Another survey, carried out by the Royal Children’s Hospital, showed that many parents (39%) are concerned about the children’s gambling habits, yet only half of the participants mentioned talking about it with their kids.