One in Three Aussie Teens Caught in the Gambling Game, Study Finds

They’re not old enough to vote, drive, or legally gamble, yet nearly one in three Australian teenagers are already participating in gambling, according to a new report. Findings from The Australia Institute have uncovered a worrying trend: young people aged 12 to 17 are losing an estimated $18.4 million annually to gambling activities.

For 18- to 19-year-olds in Australia, the average annual gambling expenditure was A$321.10 across the entire age group. Among those who actively gamble, however, spending soared to $811.57 per year.

The bulk of this expenditure was focused on activities like slot machines, racing, poker, and other casino games. Data from the HILDA survey also showed that nearly 18% of individuals in this age group had gambled in the past month. With the growing popularity of casino bonuses for pokies, these incentives may be contributing to increased gambling activity among young players.

 A New Normal

The latest findings echo trends highlighted in previous studies, particularly the Growing Up in Australia project, which revealed a troubling rise in gambling as teenagers grow older. In that study, participation surged from 16% among 16–17-year-olds to 46% among 18–19-year-olds — a sharp increase also reflected in the new data. Even more concerning is that these early gambling habits tend to persist, with little decline in participation until well into the mid-20s.

The financial impact is equally alarming. Many young gamblers are spending hundreds, and in some cases even thousands, of dollars each year, despite being under the legal age. Once established during adolescence, these behaviours often carry over into adulthood, potentially leading to long-term gambling-related harm.

 Accessibility

It’s never been easier to gamble, and while this has been a game changer for the industry, allowing players to enjoy all the thrill and excitement of the casino floor with just the tap of a button, it has also undeniably contributed to the rise in gambling among Australian teens.

What was once an activity confined to licensed venues with strict age restrictions is now accessible from virtually anywhere. Although users are required to verify their age to open a gambling account in Australia, there are ways to bypass these checks, particularly with the emergence of AI technology and deepfakes, which make it easier to manipulate verification processes.

 Increased Exposure 

This isn’t a case of which came first, the chicken or the egg. It’s becoming increasingly clear that the rising exposure of young people to gambling, whether through casual bets with friends, video games featuring elements like loot boxes, or the constant stream of gambling advertisements across media platforms, has fuelled this surge. The issue lies not only in this exposure, but also in the normalisation of gambling, making it far more acceptable and less stigmatised for young people to participate.

Support for banning gambling advertisements during family-friendly television hours, on social media, and in sports stadiums has reached an all-time high, with some polls indicating that over 80% of Australians back these restrictions. Parents are also growing increasingly concerned. Polling from the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne revealed that nearly 40% of parents are worried about their teenagers gambling. Yet fewer than half have spoken to their children about the risks, underscoring the urgent need for improved public awareness and education initiatives.

The research makes it clear that early intervention is vital to prevent teenage gambling from becoming a deeply ingrained habit. The high rates of participation, significant levels of spending, and early onset of gambling behaviours among Australian youth suggest this is not simply an adult issue, but a generational concern that takes root well before the legal age for gambling.

Nevertheless, despite strong public support for reform, including a 2023 inquiry into online gambling that recommended a phased ban on gambling advertisements, which was backed by 76% of Australians, the Australian government chose to delay the introduction of stricter advertising controls in early 2025.

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