Concerning insights

A new investigation into the prevalence of childhood gambling in Australia has thrown up some concerning insights. The Guardian Australia is calling for urgent action after finding that the levels of young people looking for help with gambling addiction are increasing.

Childhood gambling can lead to increased levels of anxiety, depression, relationship issues, and debt as people transition into adulthood. Suicides stemming from this type of addiction are also prevalent among the youth.

a 16% rise in the number of people under the age of 24 contacting the help service

Gambling Help online data shows a 16% rise in the number of people under the age of 24 contacting the help service during the most recent financial year. Experts believe that the official figures don’t even scratch the surface of the true picture.

The issue led to calls for a blanket ban on gambling advertising by an Australian parliamentary inquiry earlier this year.

Spiralling out of control

The Guardian Australia’s investigation included details of a boy who began gambling online at ten years old. He lost AU$500 (US$316) in birthday money at the age of 12 and was regularly late for school as he wanted to keep playing on his computer.

The now 24-year-old said that he turned to drug use and is only now recovering from certain mental health issues. The Melbourne resident believes that the youth of today get exposure to gambling from an early age through influencers and video games.

Some kids reportedly get around the age-restriction rules of online platforms by having someone they know who is of age start an account in their own name. There have also been many instances of children using the credit cards of family members to gamble, including one boy who racked up AU$12,000 (US$7,588) in debt on his grandmother’s card.

A constantly evolving issue

Experts are concerned that the prevalence of marketing campaigns means the youth are exposed to pro-betting messages through sports. Research from Deakin University Professor Samantha Thomas has shown that Australian kids as young as eight have started gambling. She also found that they have a lot of brand awareness, as well as in-depth recall of marketing content.

constantly looking at ways to enhance the social aspect of their offerings

She believes that the sector is “one of the most agile, hi-tech, health-harming industries that we have probably ever seen.” Thomas noted how operators and video game developers are constantly looking at ways to enhance the social aspect of their offerings.

The most common form of gambling for 16 and 17-year-old children, according to the Growing Up in Australia Longitudinal Study, is private betting among family or friends. Access to retail gaming is also an issue despite proof of age being necessary to play table games and slot machines (called pokies in Australia).