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Youth and gambling: 2001 information

Prevalence studies in Australia

'Whilst Australian studies have not found the alarmingly high rates of youth problem gambling encountered in overseas research, it is also the case that very little research has been conducted here on this issue.

  • Victorian young people participate in gambling at much lower rates than young people in international studies (The University of Melbourne Problem gambling Research Program, 1999).
  • A sample of 1,017 school- and university-based adolescents (aged 14–25 years) indicated relatively low frequencies of gambling and low scores on the problem gambling scale (with males scoring higher than females on both measures) however,
  • 3% did classify themselves as problem gamblers' (Moore & Ohtsuka 1998).

Source: Gambling Research Newsletter, vol.2, no.1, September 2001, p.7.

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The effects of youth problem gambling

The University of Melbourne Problem Gambling Research Program, 1999, found the effects of youth problem gambling to include:
  • Cutting classes
  • Low grades
  • Unemployment (in the longer term)
Canadian researchers have found these adolescents:
  • engage in delinquent behaviours,
  • find their school grades begin to suffer,
  • exhibit a number of psychological and physical problems,
  • are at increased risk for suicidal thoughts,
  • experience bouts of severe depression, and
  • find their friendships and relationships significantly suffer, (Derevensky & Gupta 2001).
Source: Gambling Research Newsletter, vol.2, no.1, September 2001, p.7.

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Young people and gambling, Victoria

  • Approximately 3,000 people under 18 are caught trying to enter Crown Casino every month.
  • Evidence suggests that participation in Internet gambling is predominantly by young men, aged 18–24.
  • Adult problem gamblers often report starting gambling before the age of 19 years.
  • Young people with a gambling problem are more likely to have parents or orther family members with a gambling problem.
  • The majority of young people gamble to try to make money, (Information and Resource Booklet for General Practitioners, Melbourne Division of General Practice Inc.).
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Victoria's young gamblers 2001

Number of young people (18–29) classed as 'problem' or 'at-risk' gamblers: about 18,000 (up to 24% of total 'at-risk' gamblers)

Number of these who are males aged 18–24: 9 out of 10

Most popular form of gambling for young people: Turf betting

Figures from research by the Victorian Government prior to the launch of the 'Think of What You're Really Gambling With' problem gambling campaign, which targetted young gamblers.

Source: Victorian Department of Human Services Full research document: the University of Melbourne Problem Gambling Research Program 1999, The Impacts of Gambling on Adolescents and Children.

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International stats on youth gambling

Percentage of high school students in America who reported gambling for money in the previous year: approx. 80%
...who have some gambling problems: 13%
...have a serious gambling problem: 4–8%
...at-risk for developing a serious problem: 10–14%

Prevalence of problem gambling in adolescents: 2–4 times that of adults

Average age of onset of gambling among problem gamblers: 10

Research at the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors, Canada, indicate that youth involvement in legal and illegal forms of gambling are rising in the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Europe and Australia.

Source: 'International Centre for Youth Gambling and High-Risk Behaviors'
http://www.mcgill.ca/edu-ecp/research/gambling/

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