Don't Bet Your Future

What is gambling?

Gambling is when you risk something valuable (usually money) for a chance at a reward. Examples include sports betting, slots, fantasy sports, loot boxes, arcade-style chance games, and even some forms of day trading.

What is problem gambling?

Problem gambling is continued gambling despite causing problems in someone’s life, or continued gambling despite attempts to reduce or stop gambling.

Gambling prevalence in adults and youth

1 in 25
teens are experiencing
problem gambling.

3 in 25
are considered to be
at-risk.

Youth who gamble
2x more likely
to experience problem gambling as adults.

  • 383,000 adults in Illinois currently experiencing problem gambling
  • 68% of teens reported gambling in the past year.
  • 69% of respondents were faced with the decision to bet on sports.
  • Of those faced with the decision, 39% chose to place a bet on sports.

How do teens gamble?

Teens gamble in a variety of ways that are changing everyday. From sports-betting, to gaming, to the internet, it’s important to know the ways teens actually gamble.

Though most sports-betting is age-regulated, some youth find ways to bet on sports. This can include having an adult falsify age, through predictions markets, or socially with friends.

Similarly, lottery is age-regulated but that does not stop youth access. Even though the lottery is inexpensive, early exposure to lottery play can lead to increased risk of problem gambling later in life.

Many forms of legalized betting have age restrictions. One way that teens can gamble without worrying about age restrictions is to bet socially. This can come in the form of ‘truth or dare’ style games, fantasy sports, or personal bets.

Gaming and gambling have one goal in common: keep people playing as long as possible. Lately, video games have been utilizing more and more gambling mechanics to increase their play time. There is even a whole market around betting on e-sports, or video game competitions.

One common element of video games is the Loot Box. Loot boxes are purchasable items within a game, sometimes purchased with in-game currency and sometimes real money. Loot boxes work like mystery boxes. Someone may receive a rare, sought-after item or they could get something common. Loot boxes are often opened again and again to acquire high value items.

Social casinos are virtual casino platforms that function without rewarding or costing real currency. Social casinos offer a variety of gambling games, like slot machines, that players can play through using in-game currency. Though no real money is rewarded, players can pay in real money to get more in-game currency to continue gambling.

Prediction markets are platforms that offer users the option to make predictions on future events, like sports, politics, or general pop culture, through purchasing contracts. These contracts pay out contingent on the accuracy of the prediction. These platforms have more lax age restrictions, allowing anyone over 18 to wager on events even in states where sports-betting is illegal or limited to 21+.

There is a whole market of content in the digital world revolving around gambling. At any time of any day, someone can pull out their device and access a wide variety of streaming content based around gambling. This is no different for youth.

Start the conversation

Talking to teens about gambling can be intimidating, but having these conversations can help keep them safe.

  • Explain the risks of betting just as you would other dangers like substance use.
  • Talk about spending practices: It is expensive to cover everything we need. Spending money on gambling can hurt their budget or keep them from other fun experiences.
  • Avoid betting-related activities: Don’t include any type of betting at family events. Even seemingly harmless activities like scratch-offs or sports pools for money can ignite an early interest in betting.
  • Encourage them to speak up if they have a friend or classmate who is experiencing the harms of betting.
  • Create a safe space for youth to share their experiences with gambling and listen with understanding and non-judgmental attitude.
  • Be a good example: If you choose to gamble, model healthy habits.
  • Talk to other adults in the community about youth gambling and problem gambling, like parents, teachers, coaches, and community members. How we talk about gambling as adults influences how youth around us see it. It will take collaboration to change the community perspective.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling

  • Losing interest in things that usually bring joy or excitement
  • Spending more time isolated or online
  • Changes in mood or behavior, including being secretive, defensive, or irritable
  • Specific references to gambling terms or behaviors, like ‘parlay’ or ‘over-under’
  • Preoccupation with money and value of possessions
  • Misconceptions around gambling themes, especially luck or winning
  • Items of value disappearing or appearing without explanation, or unexplained charges to devices

Do you think you or someone in your life has a gambling problem?

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There are many agencies that can help families prevent and address gambling concerns in young people, including blocking software, apps that help set goals and track progress, counseling, products to set rules around spending, etc.

Resources

  • For up-to-date news and events, follow AYRW Facebook: @Are You Really Winning? and Instagram: @areyoureallywinning
  • For more information about problem gambling and gambling in Illinois: Illinois Council on Problem Gambling www.ICPG.org
  • To learn about a prevention program for high schools in Illinois, check out Not A Chance: A Problem Gambling Prevention Program. Reach out to [email protected] for details.

Research/Studies