October 28, 2019

The Commission has published the 2019 Young People & Gambling survey, which looks at gambling trends of 11 to 16-year-olds in Great Britain.

The survey looks at those forms of gambling and gambling style games that young people legally take part in along with gambling on age restricted products. Legal activity includes private bets, playing cards for money with friends, 16 year olds playing the national lottery and gambling that takes place on premises that do not require a gambling licence.

The findings show that 11% of 11-16-year olds that took part in the survey say they have spent their own money on gambling in the past seven days, compared with 14% in 2018. The long-term trend shows a decline in participation since the questions were first asked in 2011.

The most common type of gambling activity that young people are taking part in is private bets for money (e.g. with friends) (5%) with a further 3% playing cards with friends for money.

The research, carried out by Ipsos MORI, also shows that 3% report buying National Lottery scratchcards in a shop in the past seven days and a further 4% say they have played fruit or slot machines in the past seven days, an activity which typically takes place in family arcades or holiday parks. To read the Commission’s press release in full and for a link to the report, click here.