Gambling - Young People & Gambling Survey 2019

The Gambling Commission has today published the 2019 Young People & Gambling survey which looks at gambling trends of 11 - 16-year-olds in Great Britain.  The long-term trend shows a decline in participation since the questions were first asked in 2011. 

The report states 11% of 11-16-year olds that took part in the survey say they have spent their own money on gambling in the past seven days, compared with 14% in 2018. 

A copy of the questionnaire used by Ipsos MORI in their interviews can be downloaded here.

The most common type of gambling activity that young people are taking part in is private bets for money (e.g. with friends) (5%) with a further 3% playing cards with friends for money.

The research, carried out by Ipsos MORI, also indicates that 3% report buying National Lottery scratch cards in a shop in the past seven days and a further 4% say they have played fruit or slot machines in the past seven days, an activity which the report says typically takes place in family arcades or holiday parks. 

We have recently reported on test purchase results in respect of gaming machines in licensed premises; the survey reports that of the 26% of 11-16 year olds who say they have ever spent their own money on fruit or slot machines, 11% did so in a pub which is down from 21% in 2018.

In comparison to other underage and illicit activities the poll showed in comparison to  gambling (11%) the interviewees responded that in the past seven days 16% had drunk an alcoholic drink, 7% had used an e-cigarette, 6% had smoked a tobacco cigarette and 5% had taken illegal drugs (including cannabis).

Alongside the report the Commission have published an Excel spreadsheet of the relevant statistics which can be downloaded here.