Adolescent Gambling Statistics and Research
This information is provided by the New York Council on Problem Gambling. The purpose of the report was to examine the prevalence of gambling related problems among adolescents in New York State.
Findings
- 86% of adolescents in NY said they had bet on one or more types of gambling at some time. 75% had gambled in the past year and 15% had bet on a weekly basis.
- Favorite types of gambling were cards, dice or domino games, games of skill, sports events and the lottery.
- Nearly one-third of adolescent respondents have purchased lottery tickets despite restrictions on underage gambling.
- 9% had been able to wager at horse races.
- 6% had participated in Quick Draw.
- 5% had gambled at a casino.
- Adolescent in NY reported spending 30% more than adults reported spending on gambling.
- Males are more likely to gamble than females.
- Gambling strongly associated with adolescent employment.
- Adolescents who work 10 or more hours a week and earn $50 or more a week are more likely to gamble.
- 25% of adolescent gamblers started gambling with a family member.
- Increase in gambling directly correlated with increase in alcohol, drug and tobacco use.
- 2.4% of adolescent gamblers gambled compulsively.
- Another 14% were classified as gamblers at risk for developing problems
- Based on prevalence rates, between 15,000 and 41,000 adolescents in New York had experienced severe problems as a result of gambling.
- Between 135,000 and 193,000 adolescents had experienced difficulties as a result of gambling.
- At-risk adolescent problem gamblers were more likely to have parent who gambled.
- At-risk and problem gamblers were more likely to have lost $50 or more in a gambling session than non-problem gamblers.
- Problem gamblers were more likely to borrow money and admitted to not having paid back the money borrowed.
- Problem gamblers were more likely to have stolen money from parents or sold personal property to get money to gamble or pay gambling debts.
- Adolescents represent 7% of total population of New York, but they also represent 11% of all New York residents who have severe gambling related problems.