Research shows a sharp rise in teenage gambling driven by mobile access, social media, and offshore crypto casinos. Experts warn early exposure increases long-term addiction risk.
Last Updated: February 10, 2026 at 8:33 PM UTC +1
Published: February 10, 2026 at 8:14 PM UTC +1
Human Written Content
Human Written Content
Coming right out of the Super Bowl, the major televised national sports event watched all around the world, online gambling had one of its biggest days of the year, highlighting how normalized high-velocity betting has become. And one could again hear how many people placed bets on everything related to the game or on anyone involved in it. Millions of teenagers watched it, too - if they were interested in the actual game or just the halftime performances and overall action that comes with it.
Now, if you follow recent research, child doctors, and mental health experts, how ‘experienced’ the younger generation now is when it comes to doing ‘ANYTHING’ with their mobile devices, including frictionless payments and instant wagering. It’s not only that every teen has such a device today, it also means they often outsmart their parents in knowing how to use them.
But before we continue: this isn’t an “iGaming is bad” or “iGaming is gonna ruin the future of our kids” - post, we just want the game to be fair, not harmful and simply ethical, that's why age restriction, self exclusion, and regulations are so important to us. Online gambling, especially with crypto, can be so much fun, so thrilling and entertaining but we really need to keep the minors safe here.
A study done by Common Sense Media surveyed 1000 teenage boys (as gambling mainly affects boys) aged 11-17 and the outcome was striking:
Thirty-six percent of boys gambled in the last year, with that number varying from nearly a third of 11-year-olds to nearly half of 17-year-olds.
This is definitely an alarming number and not something to be ignored. Just like with early drug use or abuse, it can form an addiction and tremendously impact a teenager’s future. The brain isn’t fully developed until the mid-twenties and early exposure to these risks can harm it permanently.
Dr. Loredana Marchica, psychologist and youth gambling expert at the Montreal Children’s Hospital points out that you shouldn’t think too traditionally when it comes to gambling: It’s not typically about just placing bets and playing slots and poker online. It's the bigger picture. It’s about putting something of value at risk in order to get something of greater value.
She also points out that there are studies that have shown kids as early as the age of 10 have shown gambling behaviors.
Ken Howard, a family therapist, explains it mainly with the social factor: Undeveloped brains are drawn to social actions and gambling and games are a highly social activity. That includes peer pressure and when the ones they look up to, older siblings and friends are doing it (84%, according to the study.)
The ‘easiest’ way for teenagers to get around the legal barrier for online casinos is of course if the parents have accounts and they exploit those to play. Some parents might even let them use it, not being aware of the potential risks. And again this is not because the younger ones are actively trying to win money, it’s the game itself. Online Slots, for example, can be so flashy and fun and rewarding that a young teens can’t take their eyes off them.
What Matt Missar, a therapist and certified gambling counselor also points out are fake IDs, VPNs and Offshore Crypto Casinos. With a VPN you can bypass security mechanisms or required age verifications (because your IP is coming from a different country) and offshore crypto casinos sometimes don’t need verification at all. Again, teenagers often already understand the world wide web better than their parents.
The above-mentioned study reveals that most boys find out about iGaming because of algorithmic recommendations. That can be ads on YouTube and pages they visit but simpler than that, generally speaking: Social Media. They might watch influencers who gamble or live-stream their online casino experience on platforms like Twitch and get hooked that way.
Here is a quick list summarizing the potential risks and why we should all keep an eye on young people:
Debt
(Developing) Addiction
Ruined (Future) Credit Score
Leads to Drug and Alcohol Abuse
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