New data by the UK Gambling Commission has indicated that the regulator now classifies 85,000 children in the country as experiencing some form of problem gambling. However, the regulator reminds that the results are based on a sample of the maintained and independent school population rather than the entire population of 11 to 17 years old.

Problem gambling in children could originate in legal and not restricted activities

The number "85,000," however is not immediately available in the report, but extrapolated by The Guardian, a local media outlet which has been a vocal critic of the industry, and any delays in passing tougher measures on regulating it.

Essentially, the watchdog’s Young People and Gambling Report 2024 found out that the number of children registering a score of 4+ on the DSM-IV-MR-J scale, which gauges the likeliness of suffering from a gambling-related problem, rose to 1.5% in 2024, up from previously 0.7% in the surveyed age groups.

The regulator explained that the data was based on a sample of 3,869 school children, and that the data was collected online through self-completion surveys between January and June this year.

The UKGC found several interesting trends, such as the fact that most types of gambling activities that young people spend their money on were not in fact illegal or age-restricted products.

For example, 20% of respondents said that they were playing arcade machines such as claw grab or penny pusher machines. Another 11% said that they were placing bets with their friends or family, and another 5% said that they played cards with their friends.

Interestingly, the study found that 6% of respondents who had actively gambled confirmed that they felt like the activity had impacted their schoolwork. Another 5% said that they had missed out on school entirely because of their gambling participation habits.

Protecting young people and children remains a priority

UGKC Executive Director for Research and Policy Tim Miller said that the report was an important step in better understanding how young people approach gambling and what the consequences of those products – even when they are not restricted by law – are on children.

"The report also shows that young people often gamble in ways that do not require regulation, such as betting with their friends. Yet, these forms of gambling can also lead to some experiencing harm," he noted, highlighting the fact that there could be unintended consequences of specific activities.

Therefore, it’s important for parents, schools, and other interest groups to understand how gambling could impact their children and what products could pose a danger to young people.