Understanding the Risks

Gambling may not have been an issue of concern when you were growing up, but today’s landscape has changed. Factors like 24/7 online access, the convenience of digital wallets, and gambling-like features in video games create new risks for young people. Understanding these modern realities can help you recognize warning signs and better support your teen.

Age and Brain Development

The teenage brain is still developing until roughly age 24-25, particularly the areas responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and assessing risk. This makes teens naturally more inclined to take risks and seek out rewarding experiences—including gambling. Find out more about how problem gambling can affect the brain at: brainconnections.ca.

Gambling-Like Elements in Video Games

Many popular video games include gambling-like mechanics such as loot boxes, with features that include higher ‘payouts,’ use of interactive elements, and engaging sounds. These mechanics and features offer in-game purchases with randomized, unknown rewards. One study of older adolescents (aged 16-18) found that the more money young people spent on loot boxes, the greater the severity of their problem gambling (Zendle et al., 2019).

Separately, simulated gambling apps such as social casino games and social sports apps replicate traditional gambling activities—like slot machines, poker, or sports betting—in a virtual environment, often without real-money stakes. Both types use the same psychological principles and reinforcement triggers found in gambling, such as winning noises and flashing lights. These cues can support normalization of risky behaviour, even if real money isn’t directly involved.

Normalization and Marketing

Gambling is everywhere. From celebrity influencers promoting betting apps to in-game advertisements and sports partnerships, teens are constantly exposed to messages that make gambling seem fun, easy, and low-risk. This normalization makes it harder for young people to recognize the harms associated with underage gambling.

Mental Health Challenges

Teens today are facing increased levels of depression and anxiety. When struggling with these mental health challenges, some may turn to gambling as a way to escape or cope. Unfortunately, research shows a strong correlation between mental health difficulties and gambling problems—and gambling often makes these challenges worse, creating a harmful cycle that’s difficult to break.

Substance Use

Intoxicated gambling is one of the highest predictors of gambling-related harm. The brains of young people are still developing, and their decision-making processes haven’t fully matured, which already increases risk-taking and impulsivity. When teens gamble under the influence of alcohol, cannabis or other substances, their judgment becomes further clouded, making it easier to take risks they’ll regret later, like spending money they can’t afford to lose.

 

Being Male

Research shows that male adolescents are at higher risk for gambling problems compared to females, particularly when it comes to sports betting and online gambling.

Athletic Involvement

Student-athletes face unique pressures and exposure to gambling culture, especially around sports betting. The competitive mindset, knowledge and skills associated familiarity with sports can increase engagement and risk.

Family History

Having a family member(s) who have experienced gambling problems—can increase a teen’s risk of experiencing gambling problems themselves. This can be due to both genetic factors and learned behaviour (Afifi et al., 2016).

Afifi, T. O., Nicholson, R., Martins, S. S., & Sareen, J. (2016). A longitudinal study of the temporal relation between problem gambling and mental and substance use disorders among young adults. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 61(2), 102-111. https://doi.org/10.1177/0706743715625950

Zendle, D., Meyer, R., & Over, H. (2019). Adolescents and loot boxes: Links with problem gambling and motivations for purchase. Royal Society Open Science, 6(6), 190049. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.190049