Rutgers Study Estimates 43% of US Teens Gambled in Past Year
Nearly 43% of U.S. children aged 13 to 17 have gambled within the past year, according to a benchmark study published by researchers at the Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University. The survey of 1,677 U.S. adolescents and young adults marks the first national benchmark of its kind in two decades.
Led by center director Lia Nower, the research examined participation in sports betting, casino gambling, lottery games, cryptocurrency trading, social casino games, and prediction markets among individuals aged 13 to 27. More than half of the overall sample, or 52.5%, reported some form of gambling participation over the preceding year.
Problem Gambling Rates Among Minors Risking Money
Among the respondents who risked money, almost 40% expressed some level of problem gambling. 10.3% of that group met the criteria for high-risk problem gambling, pointing to substantial gambling-related problems among active young bettors.
“We are living in a time where anyone can have a casino or sportsbook in their pocket,” Nower said, noting that teens who should be playing sports are instead betting on them. The New Brunswick, New Jersey-based center, founded in 2007, operates as a nationally accredited training center for compulsive gambling counselors.
Household Exposure Triggers High-Risk Youth Betting
The Rutgers study identified a link between household gambling exposure and elevated rates of play among adolescents and young adults. Family gambling exposure appeared with notable frequency among high-risk teenagers.
Participants who perceived a household gambling problem were more than five times as likely to be classified as high-risk problem gamblers. Nower stated that these dynamics should serve as a wake-up call for parents regarding the dangers of introducing children to gambling.
Accessibility Across Digital Platforms and Lower Income Vulnerability
Gambling is no longer confined to casinos and lottery tickets. Researchers found the activity is embedded directly into video games, sports broadcasts, and other products young people can access.
The study also revealed a disparity regarding gambling severity. Nearly 30% of respondents who gambled from households earning less than $10,000 annually were classified as high risk, alongside 22.8% of those from households earning $10,000 to under $20,000.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Rutgers Youth Gambling Study
What ages were included in the Rutgers gambling survey?
The survey encompassed 1,677 U.S. adolescents and young adults ranging in age from 13 to 27.
How many total respondents reported gambling in the past year?
Across the entire sample of minors and young adults, 52.5% reported participating in some form of gambling over the past year.
When was the Rutgers Center for Gambling Studies founded?
The research center at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, was established in 2007 to research gambling-related issues and policies and train compulsive gambling counselors.
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