Child and Adolescent Gambling Behavior: Current Knowledge

Abstract

The past decade has witnessed a widespread proliferation of gambling venues, increased participation in gambling activities and gambling-related problems, and, as a result, an expansion of research in this area. Research concerned with youth gambling has revealed that children and adolescents are at an increased risk for the development of gambling-related problems. There is a significant amount of evidence that suggests that underage youth are actively participating in both legal and illegal forms of gambling. With increases in the availability and accessibility of gambling activities, the problems that youth gamblers face are likely to increase and/or worsen. The growth of the current generation of youth involvement in gambling has not occurred without personal, social and economic costs. Between 4 and 8% of adolescents report significant pathological or problem patterns of gambling, whereas 10–15% remain at risk for the development of severe problems.