The number of people in the UK under the age of 17 with gambling problems has more than doubled, new figures show. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Children at risk

Underage gambling problems in the United Kingdom have more than doubled, according to new data from the UK regulator.

85,000 people between the ages of 11 and 17 in the country have a gambling problem

The legal age for almost all forms of gambling in the UK is set at 18. However, the Gambling Commission’s latest figures show that 85,000 people between the ages of 11 and 17 in the country have a gambling problem, more than doubling in proportion from 0.7% to 1.5%.

Over a quarter of the age group also said they have gambled using their own money in the past year. The figures included informal bets between friends, as well as legally placed bets at arcades, which are one of the few exceptions to the UK’s legal gambling age. 

There was also concern over the number of young people accessing licensed bookmakers and casinos while underage. Six percent of people in the age group said they had placed such bets, most commonly young boys permitted to gamble on soccer through a family member’s account. Young people also reported an increase in blaming gambling problems for late nights and falling behind with schoolwork.

Calls for reform

Iain Duncan Smith MP, the former Conservative Party leader who also co-chairs a cross-parliamentary gambling reform group, demanded that the ruling Labour party take urgent action and adopt a policy document on gambling produced by the previous government.

The gambling firms are completely out of control and seem to be going after young people.”

Smith said: “We’ve been warning about this forever and it’s getting worse. The gambling firms are completely out of control and seem to be going after young people.”

“The government still seems undecided about what they’re going to do. We just want them to get on with it and tighten up the white paper, which didn’t go far enough. This report shows they can’t sit back on it. If we don’t act now it’s going to get even worse.”

Government responds

UK chancellor Rachel Reeves was widely tipped to raid gambling companies in her first budget, but despite taxes being hiked across the country, the industry escaped any specific measures targeted against them.

we are absolutely committed to strengthening protections for those at risk, including young people”

Responding to the report, a government spokesperson stated: “We recognise the impact harmful gambling can have on individuals and their families and we are absolutely committed to strengthening protections for those at risk, including young people.

“Ministers are currently considering the best available evidence, including the Gambling Commission’s recent statistics, and the full range of gambling policy and will update in due course.”