When parents think about gambling, they picture poker machines in pubs or horse racing at the TAB. But for young Australians, gambling often starts much earlier and looks very different. A 14-year-old might not walk into a casino, but they can place a sports bet on their phone, open a loot box in a video game, or participate in a free-to-play betting simulation.
According to the latest research from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) and Gambling Research Australia (GRA), youth gambling is more common than many realise. This article provides the most recent youth gambling statistics Australia has available, including participation rates, risk factors, and harm data.
Youth Gambling Participation Rates – The Numbers
The most comprehensive study on youth gambling in Australia is the Australian Gambling Research Centre’s (AGRC) study of young people aged 11-17. The findings reveal that gambling is already a reality for a significant minority of Australian teenagers.
Key participation statistics:
Approximately 30-35% of young Australians aged 11-17 have participated in at least one form of gambling in the past 12 months. This includes both formal gambling (sports betting, lottery tickets) and informal gambling (private bets with friends, card games for money).
When broken down by age group, the numbers increase significantly: around 15-20% of 12-14 year olds have gambled, rising to 40-45% of 16-17 year olds. Boys are approximately twice as likely as girls to report gambling activity, particularly sports betting.
The most common forms of gambling among youth are informal betting with friends (approximately 20%), sports betting (approximately 12-15%), and lottery or scratch card purchases (approximately 10-12%).
Youth Gambling Participation by Age and Gender
| Age Group | Male Participation | Female Participation | Total Participation | Most Common Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-14 years | ~20% | ~10% | ~15% | Informal bets with friends |
| 15-17 years | ~55% | ~30% | ~42% | Sports betting (online) |
| Total (12-17) | ~40% | ~20% | ~30% | Informal / Sports betting |
| 18-24 years | ~65% | ~40% | ~52% | Sports betting (online) |
| Under 18 (any form) | – | ~30% | Informal / Sports betting | |
| Illegal underage online betting | – | ~10-15% | Sports betting accounts (using parent/older sibling IDs) | |
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Sports Betting – The Most Common Form Among Youth
Sports betting has become the gateway to gambling for many young Australians. Unlike pokies or casino games, sports betting is visible, socially acceptable, and heavily advertised during sporting events that young people watch.
Why sports betting appeals to youth:
The normalization of sports betting is a key factor. Gambling ads during AFL, NRL, and cricket matches are ubiquitous. Young fans see their sporting heroes in betting ads. Same-game multis are marketed as entertainment rather than gambling.
Accessibility is another major factor. Mobile apps make betting instantaneous. Verification processes are sometimes lax, with studies finding that underage users can create accounts using parent or older sibling identification. Many young people report seeing betting content on social media platforms including Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.
Online betting account statistics:
Approximately 10-15% of 16-17 year olds report having their own online betting account, despite the legal age being 18. A further 20-25% report using a parent’s or older sibling’s account to place bets.
The average monthly spend among young people who gamble is estimated at $50-100, though some report spending significantly more. Sports betting accounts for the majority of this expenditure, followed by lottery products and informal betting among friends.
Risk Factors and Gambling Harm Statistics
Young people who gamble are at significantly higher risk of developing gambling problems compared to adults who start later in life. Early exposure is associated with more severe harm trajectories.
Key risk factors for youth gambling:
| Risk Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Parental gambling | Children of regular gamblers are 2-3x more likely to gamble |
| Exposure to advertising | High ad exposure correlates with positive attitudes toward betting |
| Male gender | Boys are approximately 2x more likely to gamble than girls |
| Participation in sports | Young athletes are more likely to bet on their own sports |
| Sensation-seeking personality | Higher risk-taking behavior correlates with gambling activity |
| Low socioeconomic status | Associated with higher rates of problem gambling |
Gambling harm statistics among youth:
Among young people who gamble, approximately 10-15% are classified as moderate-risk or problem gamblers. This is significantly higher than the adult rate of approximately 1-2% for problem gambling.
The harms experienced by young gamblers include financial loss (often borrowing money or stealing), declining academic performance, mental health issues (anxiety, depression), relationship problems with family and friends, and increased risk of other addictive behaviors including substance use.
Research from the Australian Gambling Research Centre indicates that young people who start gambling before age 18 are 4-6 times more likely to develop gambling problems in adulthood compared to those who start later.
Prevention and Awareness – What Is Being Done
Several initiatives aim to reduce youth gambling exposure and harm.
Federal advertising reforms (effective 1 January 2027):
The government’s advertising bans will prohibit gambling ads during live sports broadcasts, ban celebrity endorsements, and restrict online gambling ads to logged-in users aged 18+. These measures are designed to reduce youth exposure to betting marketing.
School-based education programs:
Programs like Gambling’s Hidden Toll and Love the Game provide resources for schools to educate students about gambling risks. However, uptake varies significantly by state and school.
BetStop – National self-exclusion register:
While BetStop is designed for adults, it also helps families. Parents concerned about underage gambling can discuss self-exclusion options with older teenagers. However, BetStop does not cover offshore gambling sites or informal betting.
What parents can do:
Experts recommend that parents talk openly about gambling risks, set boundaries around sports betting discussions, monitor online activity and payment methods, use family filtering software to block betting sites, and model responsible gambling behavior (or abstinence).
Youth gambling in Australia is more common than many parents realise. Approximately 30-35% of young people aged 11-17 have gambled, with sports betting being the most common commercial form. Boys are approximately twice as likely to gamble as girls, and rates increase significantly with age.
The harms are significant. Young people who start gambling before age 18 are 4-6 times more likely to develop gambling problems in adulthood. The normalization of sports betting through advertising, mobile apps, and social media has created an environment where gambling is seen as a normal part of watching sports.
The federal government’s 2027 advertising reforms – including bans on gambling ads during live sports and restrictions on online betting ads – are designed to reduce youth exposure. However, prevention also requires conversations at home, school-based education, and better enforcement of age verification for betting accounts.
Sources: Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC), Gambling Research Australia (GRA), Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), Department of Social Services
How Many Young Australians Gamble?
Q1: What percentage of Australian teenagers gamble? ▼
Approximately 30-35% of young Australians aged 11-17 have participated in at least one form of gambling in the past 12 months. Among 16-17 year olds, the rate rises to approximately 40-45%.
Q2: What is the most common form of gambling among young people? ▼
Sports betting is the most common commercial gambling activity among youth, followed by informal betting with friends. Approximately 10-15% of 16-17 year olds report having their own online betting account.
Q3: Are young gamblers more likely to develop problems? ▼
Yes. Young people who start gambling before age 18 are 4-6 times more likely to develop gambling problems in adulthood. Approximately 10-15% of youth who gamble are classified as moderate-risk or problem gamblers.
Q4: How does sports betting advertising affect young people? ▼
High exposure to gambling ads correlates with more positive attitudes toward betting and higher intention to gamble. The 2027 advertising bans aim to reduce youth exposure by prohibiting ads during live sports and restricting online betting ads.
Q5: What can parents do to prevent youth gambling? ▼
Experts recommend open conversations about gambling risks, monitoring online activity, using family filtering software, and modeling responsible behavior. The federal government’s 2027 advertising reforms will also reduce youth exposure to betting marketing.
