A new report has revealed alarming statistics about the prevalence of gambling among children in the UK, prompting calls for urgent government action to protect vulnerable young people from being lured into potentially harmful behavior.
According to the report, which was commissioned by the charity Young Gamblers Education Trust (YGEB), nearly half of children aged 11-16 have reported gambling in some form in the past year. This includes traditional forms of gambling, such as betting on sports or playing the lottery, as well as newer forms like online casino games and loot boxes in video games.
The report also highlights the impact that gambling can have on young people’s lives, with many experiencing financial and emotional difficulties as a result of their gambling activities. In fact, the study found that one in five young gamblers had spent more than they could afford on gambling, while others reported feelings of guilt, shame, and anxiety when trying to stop.
YGEB founder, Emma McLeod, is calling on the government to take decisive action to address this growing issue. “It is clear that our young people are being targeted and exploited by the gambling industry, and we cannot stand by and allow this to continue unchecked. The government must step in to protect our children and create a safer environment for them to grow up in,” she said.
One of the key recommendations put forward in the report is the introduction of stricter regulations on gambling advertising, particularly online and on social media platforms where young people are increasingly exposed to gambling promotions. The report also calls for greater transparency around the use of loot boxes in video games, which have come under scrutiny for their similarities to gambling activities.
Additionally, the report recommends that schools and parents be provided with more resources and support to educate young people about the risks associated with gambling and how to seek help if they or someone they know is struggling with gambling addiction.
Responding to the report, a spokesperson for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said, “We are committed to protecting young people from the harms of gambling and are currently conducting a review of the Gambling Act to ensure that our regulations are fit for purpose in the digital age. We will carefully consider the recommendations put forward in this report as part of that process.”
With the issue of youth gambling gaining increasing attention, it is clear that action must be taken to address this urgent problem. The government has a duty to protect vulnerable young people from the dangers of gambling, and it is hoped that the findings of this report will spur them into action before more lives are affected.