Study: More Than One-Third of Boys are Gambling, Influenced by Online Video Games

A study by Common Sense Media suggests the high rate of teen gambling is spurred by the integration of gambling-style mechanics into popular video games, and less by traditional online gambling platforms like sportsbooks and online casinos.

The study, which surveyed over 1,000 boys aged 11-17, found that 36% of these young males reported gambling in the past year. The rate rises with age, with 32% of 11-year-olds reporting gambling compared with 51% of 16-year-olds.

“Boys are gambling from a very early age,” said Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer in a statement included with the study release. “Through the games they play, the social media platforms they use every day, and their friends, gambling has become a fact of many boys’ day-to-day lives — and often in ways parents may not recognize.”

Teens Gravitate Toward Gaming-Related Gambling Over Sports Gaming stands out as the primary category. Among boys who gambled in the past year, 64% participate in online gaming-related gambling, defined in the study as “activities that occur within video game environments or involve game-related items and currency.”

Sports betting, which garners more attention, represents a much smaller percentage of activity. Only about one in eight say they have engaged in sports-related gambling, such as filling out March Madness pools, playing in fantasy leagues, and wagering on sports.

A similar percentage said they participate in poker with friends.

While online video games may appear harmless, many have gambling-like features. For example, some games allow players to buy items like loot boxes, which contain rewards such as character outfits and weapons that enhance the player’s experience.

Research at Rutgers University and other studies have concluded that loot boxes share some of the same aspects as slots, such as risk, reward, and uncertainty. The Common Sense Media study reveals this type of play “may shape later gambling habits and is often described as gambling-like (and) exchanging real money for random, chance-based rewards in games.”

Some states are already taking action. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently introduced legislation targeting loot box-style features, arguing that they “entice kids to gamble their parents’ money on virtual junk.”

Gambling Platforms are Shaping Exposure Via Algorithms Although video games may be a primary driver, the study found that algorithms could be another major factor in young people’s propensity to gamble.

Nearly half of the boys who gamble say they see gambling-related content online. However, only 14% reported actually searching for it or following accounts that post about gambling. Meanwhile, 59% said the content “just started showing up” in their feed without intentionally looking for it.

Of course, the internet isn’t the only place boys see gambling content. They are exposed to gambling ads on TV and billboards, but the study shows ads influence less than one out of 10 boys to gamble.

Boys and Sports Betting Sports gambling represents a small portion of boys’ gambling habits, with only 12% saying they’ve bet on sports. The study found 23% placed wagers on season-long contests, 9% on fantasy sports, and 6% on in-game betting.

Concerns about underage users betting on sports are being addressed in several states where the industry is regulated. In addition to tackling loot box features, Hochul is trying to prevent anyone under 21 from accessing sportsbook accounts or using the account of someone who is of legal age by adding biometrics on sportsbook sites and apps.

Massachusetts and North Carolina have added education programs for middle and high school students about gambling risks.

Steyer said the study’s findings highlight what he sees as an urgent need for stronger safeguards for boys and their access to gambling.

“Our research shows that we are at a pivotal moment for boys’ well-being and their futures,” he said. “Without safeguards and support, many boys may be forming risky relationships with gambling before they fully understand the consequences. All of us — parents, educators, industry, and policymakers — must treat this issue with the urgency it demands.”