By Marsha Mercer, Image: Star Max via The Associated Press, PEW, July 12, 2022
With online and retail sports betting now legal in more than 30 states, the portrait of a new problem gambler is emerging: the high school student.
Although the legal age for gambling ranges from 18 to 21 depending on the state, between 60% and 80% of high school students report having gambled for money in the past year, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling. The group says the pandemic and easy access to online gambling have heightened risks for young adults.
And 4% to 6% of high schoolers are considered addicted to gambling, the group says.
“We believe that the risks for gambling addiction overall have grown 30% from 2018 to 2021, with the risk concentrated among young males 18 to 24 who are sports bettors,” said Keith Whyte, the council’s executive director, in an interview. The council is a nonprofit group that advocates for helping problem gamblers but is neutral on legalized gambling.
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