Risks of gambling for young adults: Implications for regulatory action
Article provided by IAGR partner, Greo Evidence Insights
Young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 are one of the groups at greater risk of gambling-related harm. Evidence suggests that during this stage of life, immaturity in cognition and self-regulation can lead to chasing gambling losses and other behaviours linked to problem gambling.
Considering this evidence, regulators and operators are introducing more gambling safeguards for young adults. Recent examples of measures that have been implemented include lower spending limits, lower thresholds in behavioural risk tracking, and online advertising restrictions that prohibit the targeting of young adults.
How might regulators prevent and address the harms associated with young adult gambling?
Recently published gambling research
Below is a selection of reports and plain-language summaries of studies that may help to inform regulatory approaches to reduce harm for young adults:
- The relationship between problem gambling severity and suicide attempts in young adults
- Gambling behaviours and risk factors among 17 to 24-year-olds in the UK
- A systematic review of prevention programs for young adults
- Young men’s insights into strategies to prevent sports betting gambling harm
- Supporting the digital wellbeing of young people through purposeful collaboration: Recommendations for moving forward using purposeful collaboration
Evidence-informed action
Below are examples that offer insights into strategies for mitigating gambling-related harm in young adults.
United Kingdom
In September 2024, the government will introduce a £2 stake limit for online slot games for people 18 to 24 (compared to a £5 stake limit for people 25 and over). The decision to introduce lower limits for people 18 to 24 is based on evidence that young adults can be especially vulnerable to gambling-related harm, with people under 25 having the highest average rates of problem gambling of any age group in the UK.
Sweden
In 2022, Svenska Spel (the state-owned gambling operator in Sweden) introduced a new deposit limit of SEK 1,000 ($95 USD) per month for people 18 to 19. Svenska Spel now also conducts an income check for people 20 to 24 who would like a deposit limit of over SEK5,000 ($476 USD) a month. In cases where people have exceeded their limits, Svenska Spel forces a break, followed by contact with a customer care communicator. There is a specially trained care communicator who contacts young people and tells them how to set limits on their gambling.
Norway
Since 2023, people under 20 who gamble with Norsk Tipping (the state-owned operator in Norway) are required to stay within a maximum monthly loss limit of NOK2,000 ($190 USD). This is compared to the monthly maximum loss limit for people 20 years old and over of NOK20,000 ($1,905 USD). The lower limits for people under 20 are based on evidence that problem gambling is higher among younger people than for other age groups.
The Netherlands
As of 2023, gambling operators in the Netherlands are prohibited from advertising online unless they can prove that their advertisements do not reach people under the age of 24, and other at-risk groups. Operators must show that at least 95% of their advertising reaches people aged 24 and over.
Belgium
As of September 2024, the legal age of gambling will be raised from 18 to 21. The raising of the age limit is meant to protect people at greater risk and promote safer gambling. Online operators will have to refund people under the age of 21 if their age is not properly verified.
Spain
In March 2023, the government approved more than 30 new regulations focused on young people. People under 25 who lose more than €200 ($217 USD) over three weeks must be categorized as “intensive gamblers” and their risk profiles need to be recorded. The threshold for people over 25 is losses of more than €600 ($651 USD). If potentially harmful behaviour is detected, operators are required to contact people categorized as “intensive gamblers” with a personalized message. People’s accounts will be suspended if they do not respond within 72 hours. Operators must also send people categorized as “intensive gamblers” a summary of their gambling activities each month. In addition, people in this category will be prohibited from using a credit card to gamble.
