Responsible Gaming and Young People Under 25: Motivations, Contexts, and Intervention Strategies
What are the motivations, meanings, and social contexts that lead young people to engage in gambling with cash prizes? This question is the basis of the research conducted by the Economic Psychology Research Unit at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, sponsored by the FAIR Foundation.
The survey explores the phenomenon among 18-24 year-olds, analyzing not only gaming habits but also how young people interpret money, risk, and gambling-related experiences. The result provides a useful snapshot of their experiences, the differences between those who gamble and those who don't, and their areas of greatest vulnerability.
The emerging picture shows a widespread phenomenon: approximately 1.9 million under 25s have gambled or bet money in the last three months, equal to 41% of the youth population. Often, they start gambling early, and it's not always easy to maintain spending and time limits. Online gambling is now the primary channel, although gambling remains a significant part of the game.
A critical aspect concerns the still limited knowledge of the concept of "responsible gaming": only a fraction of young people claim to be familiar with it, and in many cases, the available protective measures are not perceived as truly useful. Hence the need to develop prevention and communication strategies that are more youth-friendly, capable of fostering trust and awareness.
Finally, the study highlights the need for a shared commitment between institutions, industry operators and families to guide young people towards greater responsibility and a more balanced approach to gaming. Only through coordinated action will it be possible to protect the younger generation and promote a more sustainable gaming culture.
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