A Prevalence Study of Gambling and Problem Gambling in British Adolescents

Abstract

This study is the first national prevalence study of gambling and problem gambling among British youth It is wide in scope, embracing all of the main forms of commercial and non-commercial gambling played by young people, but focuses on fruit machines and National Lottery scratchcards, as the gambling forms which have generated most concern. The sample comprised nearly 10,000 12–15 year olds from 114 schools in England and Wales. The study found that commercial gambling, particularly on fruit machines and the National Lottery is widespread: 19% had spent their own money on fruit machines during the week prior to the survey and 13% on the National Lottery. The prevalence of problem gambling was 5.6%. The study enquires into the social costs of youth gambling, the comorbidity of problem gambling with other addictive behaviours, the impact of parental gambling and attitudes, and the impact of National Lottery promotions.