The Rise Of Online Gambling Among Teen Boys

Research Spotlights Teenage Online Gambling

Online gambling among adolescents, particularly among teenage boys, is becoming increasingly popular, even in states where players must be at least 18 or 21 years old.

A 2026 study from Common Sense Media surveyed 1,017 boys ages 11-17 across the United States in July 2025. They found that 36% of adolescent boys had engaged in gambling or gambling-related activities at least once in the past year.

This finding is significant, as early exposure to gambling may increase the risk of a gambling addiction later in life.

Gambling And The Teenage Brain

The human brain does not fully develop until 23-24 years of age; therefore, adolescence is an important developmental period.

Adolescents are more prone to making impulsive decisions and engaging in reward-seeking behaviors as their brains continue to develop. They strive for independence and are also more likely to engage in risky behaviors influenced by peers.

These tendencies can increase adolescents’ vulnerability to gambling, which often involves immediate rewards, excitement, and risk-taking.

As adolescents are drawn to rewarding experiences and may have less-developed impulse control, they may be more likely to experiment with gambling without fully considering its potential consequences.

Increasing Teenage Exposure To Online Gambling

Compounding these biological risks is the growing accessibility of gambling through the internet. In the digital world, where adolescents spend a significant amount of time, online gambling is increasingly accessible through smartphones and is often presented in a game-like format.

Gambling advertisements are geared to reach teens across social media and video streaming platforms. Because of this, adolescents are more exposed to the world of gambling compared to previous generations.

Additionally, most exposure to online gambling among adolescent boys was passive, meaning that they viewed gambling advertisements on social media or streaming platforms. One study specifically reported that 59% of study participants said the gambling content “just started showing up” in their feed, and 24% encountered it through peer sharing.

Why Are Adolescent Boys Engaging In Online Gambling?

Online gambling among boys can be a way to relieve stress or cope with difficult feelings while also being a way to socialize with friends online.

They can download online games that use virtual money, which seem just like playing video games, but the lure of “winning” may prime them to engage in online gambling that uses real currency.

Important findings from the study include:

• Among boys who spent money on gambling in the past year, the average amount spent was $54.
• Among boys who gamble, those who report losing $51 or more in the past year are more likely to view more gambling content, are more motivated by winning money than by gambling because their friends gamble, and are nearly three times more likely to use their parents’ debit or credit cards without permission compared to those who lose less than $51 in the past year.
• Among boys who gamble, one-third (34%) participate in sports-related gambling. 60% of boys who participate in sport-related gambling do so frequently at least once a month, with frequency increasing among those who lose more money.
• Among boys who gamble, one-third (34%) engaged in traditional gambling in the past year, most commonly in-person betting with friends (18%) or purchasing lottery or scratch-off tickets (14%).
• One-third of boys (34%) have gambled with family members, most commonly by playing lottery tickets or scratch-off games (25%), and by participating in season-long sports wagers, like March Madness or fantasy leagues (8%).

Gambling Addiction

While the majority of people who gamble do not develop a gambling addiction, online gambling is still a risk factor for gambling addiction, especially in males. Some research suggests that starting at an early age also increases the risk.

Gambling addiction is a behavioral addiction recognized by the DSM-5. It is defined as the preoccupation with gambling to the extent that it interferes with your daily life, and despite the negative consequences, you cannot cut back or stop.

Despite the major financial hardships gambling can cause, it can also lead to other negative outcomes such as legal trouble, social and family strain, severe stress, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and even suicide.

These effects can start in adolescence. The study found that 27% of boys who gamble report at least some negative effects, including stress or conflict with parents. Additionally, 40% report some level of regret or wish they hadn’t participated.

Signs Your Teen May Be Engaging In Gambling

It can be difficult to determine what your teen is doing online, but there are red flags to be aware of if they are engaging in gambling, including:

• Emotional attachment or preoccupation with a new sport can be a sign they are sports betting.
• They are stealing money, asking for money, or you notice odd charges on your credit card, and when you ask them about it, they become defensive or standoffish.
• Decline in academic performance
• Withdrawal from friends and extracurricular activities
• Increased time spent on the computer or phone
• Lying about computer or phone use

What Parents Can Do About Teen Gambling

Discussing gambling behaviors is important and does not increase the risk that they will engage in this behavior. Parents and guardians should approach the topic with curiosity and empathy, not judgment.

You can start by asking whether they ever come across advertisements for gambling or sports betting while online or watching television. You can then ask if any of their friends have engaged in gambling or if they themselves have. You may also want to describe forms of gambling, such as sports betting on DraftKings or loot boxes in gaming, because they may not even recognize them as gambling.

If your child is engaging in gambling, it is important to discuss the risks. They are at risk of losing money, accumulating gambling debt, and increasing their gambling habits. It can also become addictive and negatively affect their current life. You do not want to shame them, but instead you want them to be aware of why gambling is dangerous and what can happen if they continue.

Get Help For Problematic Gambling And Addiction

If you suspect that your teen may be experiencing a gambling problem, it may be beneficial for both you and your teen to meet with a therapist. A mental health professional can formally assess your teen’s gambling behaviors and overall mental health, while also helping to develop a treatment plan that encourages healthy choices and coping behaviors that do not involve gambling.

Other gambling addiction treatment options, such as online therapy, family therapy, and gambling addiction coaching programs, may also provide additional support and guidance.

Depending on the severity of the problem and the needs of the adolescent, these approaches can help address underlying factors contributing to gambling, manage urges, and develop healthier behaviors and coping strategies.