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Gambling is accessible and exciting to teens, and unfortunately, too many teens get caught up in something that starts out as fun and games, and becomes much more than that.

Research studies on teen gambling consistently show that teens are at far greater risk of gambling problems than adults – with an estimated 4% to 8% of teens displaying pathological gambling behaviors.

(The APA states that 10% to 15% of adolescents have a gambling problem and that 6% of teens who gamble will become pathological gamblers) 1

Teens have incredibly easy access to gambling (bet with friends, play online poker, buy lottery tickets etc.). Just 20 years ago, Americans needed to travel to Vegas or Atlantic City to legally place a bet – now, an American teen need only type a few words and she can start gambling online, at any time of day or night, with complete anonymity and in complete secrecy.

Teens are attracted to gambling because:

  • It’s exciting

  • It’s socially accepted

  • It can provide wealth

  • It can impress others

  • Friends are doing it

  • It offers an escape

  • It’s fun

Unfortunately, what seems like a lot of fun and excitement to a teen can lead to a lot of heartache, especially for teens that aren’t really ready, developmentally, to be gambling. Teens are at greater risk of gambling problems because they:

  • Have poor impulse control

  • Are risk takers

  • Lack sound judgment

  • Live in the moment

Denial is a common symptom amongst problem and pathological gamblers, and so it is often left to those that care about the gambler to identify the problem. Some of the warning signs of a teen with a gambling problem include:

  • School problems – Sudden poor performance or truancy

  • A sudden change in personality which leads to family conflicts

  • A constant need for money – selling personal or family belongings

  • Stealing or committing other illegal acts to get money to gamble

  • Having unusually large amounts of money

  • Showing off winnings or what was bought with winnings

  • Talking about gambling a lot, or having a preoccupation with gambling or poker

  • Knowing and using gambling lingo

  • Tiredness – from nights spent online gambling

  • Secretive computer behavior 2

Teen gambling can have serious consequences. Teens can get heavily in debt and may get involved in illegal activities to raise the money they need. Tragically, adolescents with gambling problems are also at a greatly increased risk of suicide.

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page last update Aug 17, 2010