The increasing interest of young people in online gambling is raising concerns among parents. According to a nationwide survey conducted at the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, only one in four parents admitted to having conversations with their teenagers about various aspects of online betting.
However, over half of the parents are unaware of the minimum legal age for online gambling in their state, and one in six admits that they probably wouldn’t be able to determine if their child is participating in online betting. The survey reveals that there are few discussions on this topic, and the issue is not adequately regulated by the law.
In recent years, access to online gambling has become easier than ever before. After the 2018 Supreme Court ruling, over half of the states in the United States have legalized some form of online gambling. While most states restrict access to sports betting and online casinos to individuals over 21 years old, there are legal loopholes and concerns that young people may bypass precautions.
According to Sarah Clark, co-director of the survey, online sports betting resembles popular fantasy games among young people, such as football leagues or high school basketball tournaments.
“Many online gambling options are associated with games that teenagers play on their phones, including the ability to earn bonus points or rewards. This familiarity can make it difficult for young people to differentiate between playing for fun and playing for money,” says Clark.
However, only 2% of the surveyed parents believed that their child had used online gambling services, while over half of the parents thought they would definitely know if their child was engaging in online betting.
“Adults may not be aware of their teenagers’ interests and cleverness,” says Clark. “Detecting online gambling can be challenging because a teenager can easily log into their smartphone or other devices, clear browsing history, hide the app, or discreetly use it.”
Furthermore, two-thirds of the parents stated that their child has their own bank account or debit/credit card, which could be used for registering on online betting platforms. According to Clark, this further facilitates young people’s online gambling without their parents’ knowledge.
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