The Relationship Between Young People and Gambling: Behaviors, Perceptions, and Prevention Proposals

The recent study "Responsible Gaming and Young People Under 25" on the prevalence of gambling among young people, promoted by the Fair Foundation and conducted by the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, provides very useful evidence for the concrete spread of non-harmful gambling.

Representative of the youth population, the survey found that the relatively most common behavior (36% of the total) to avoid problems is setting budget limits, or time limits (17%) and switching to other activities, such as sports or other games (33%). Along the same lines, the two most common pieces of advice young people identify with are: "setting spending and time limits" and "thinking of gambling more as a way to have fun than as an attempt to earn money."

The survey also explored the real knowledge of “responsible gambling" among young people. While it is encouraging that about two-thirds declare to be aware of it, the number of those (the remaining third) who do not have a clear idea is too high.

For 42% of the sample, responsible gambling means “controlled” gambling, which takes place within limits of time and budget set and not to be exceeded, and for another 26%, it means gambling that eliminates the risk of losing too much. The expectation indicated by 20%, relating to games that do not create addiction and therefore are not compulsive, is also important.

It should be emphasized that dissatisfaction with the current situation remains quite widespread; in fact, one-third of young people consider responsible gambling an activity carried out by operators to “wash their conscience,” that is, “useless to protect players.”

Equally significant are the findings related to physical places to play, considering that these remain important for almost half of young people (and for a quarter, preferable to online). Two aspects are particularly favored overall by nearly half of the sample: the fact that it is “easier not to overdo it in a gaming hall compared to playing online,” and that “playing in physical places is a way to spend time with friends.” It is significant, however, that almost 40% say they “would like to play in physical venues, where however they do not always feel comfortable.”

As in many other cases, young people offer clear and precise indications to companies (and regulators) who intend to concretely prevent the possible negative risks of gambling.

Firstly, what is really needed is simply to have clear and non-bypassable limits on how much one can spend and how much time one can play. Then, communication is needed not of general principles but of the operation of concrete prevention tools activated and their advantages.

Finally, a focus on gaming halls, which, if properly transformed, can become pleasant places to have fun with friends, playing under the watchful eye of sensitive operators.

The full research “Responsible Gambling and Young People Under 25: Motivations, Contexts, and Intervention Strategies” is available for download.

By Matteo Caroli.