Data reveals that the proportion of children in Great Britain facing gambling problems has doubled.

Gambling Commission Data Shows Sharp Increase to 85,000 in Youth Experiencing Gambling Harm

The number of young people in Great Britain facing gambling issues has more than doubled, prompting calls for urgent government action.

According to recent figures from the Gambling Commission, which regulates bookmakers, online casinos, and the national lottery, around 85,000 children are now considered to have gambling problems, based on widely accepted diagnostic standards.

Nearly 1 in 10 young people reported that family gambling habits had caused issues at home, while more youth noted their own gambling led to sleep disruptions, missed school, or incomplete homework.

A survey showed that about 27% of 11- to 17-year-olds had gambled with their own money in the past year, mainly through legal means like arcade games or informal bets with friends. However, online betting among young people has surged, often through family accounts.

The proportion of young people with gambling problems has risen from 0.7% to 1.5% since 2023, equating to roughly 85,000 children. Higher rates were found among boys (1.7%), youth aged 14 to 17 (1.9%), and particularly among young people in Scotland, where it reached 3%.

MP Iain Duncan Smith described the data as “astonishing” and urged Labour to accelerate regulatory reforms. As co-chair of a parliamentary group on gambling harms, he criticized the industry’s focus on young people and called on Labour to strengthen the stalled white paper on gambling regulations.

Labour has yet to clarify its position on gambling reform, though it has faced scrutiny over ties to the industry. Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently opted against raising gambling taxes to address a £22bn funding gap.

The Gambling Commission’s report, using the DSM-IV criteria, assessed behaviors like gambling to escape problems or spending more than intended. It also highlighted an increase in those attributing gambling to sleep loss or missed school.

Will Prochaska, head of the Coalition to End Gambling Ads, noted that children face a constant bombardment of gambling advertisements. The Betting and Gaming Council, representing the industry, responded by emphasizing its strict age-verification checks and zero-tolerance policy on underage gambling.

A government spokesperson acknowledged the profound impact of harmful gambling on individuals and families, reaffirming a commitment to strengthening protections for at-risk groups, including young people. Ministers are reviewing the latest data and wider gambling policy, with plans to provide updates soon.