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A new Rutgers University survey found that 42.7% of US teens ages 13 to 17 reported gambling in the past year. About 11% of those who gambled were classified as high risk for gambling problems.
Rutgers’ Center for Gambling Studies released the survey Oct. 28 after questioning 1,677 people ages 13 to 27 across the United States. It did not publish a New Jersey-specific teen gambling rate.
Family gambling appears frequently in the high-risk group
More than half of the teens surveyed (51.5%) said someone in their family or household gambled. Among teenage gamblers classified as high risk, 75.5% had a family member who gambled, and 61.2% said they had gambled with a family member themselves.
Looking at all respondents ages 13 to 27, researchers found that those who had gambled with a relative were more than four times as likely to fall into the high-risk group. The survey shows an association, but it does not establish that gambling with family members caused the problems.
What counted as gambling in the Rutgers survey
Researchers asked about 21 activities, including bingo, raffles, games of skill, sports betting, cryptocurrency trading, and prediction markets. Trivia and board games counted as games of skill when money was at stake. The survey included both online and in-person activity.
NJ requires customers to be at least 21 to use licensed sportsbooks and online casinos, and at least 18 to buy lottery tickets. Because Rutgers counted activities beyond those products, its 42.7% teen participation rate does not mean that many teens used a sportsbook or casino app.
Nearly one in five teenage gamblers (18.9%) reported gambling at least once a week. Researchers used a nine-question screening tool to assess gambling-related problems over the previous year.
A high-risk classification means the respondent reported substantial gambling-related problems, although it does not amount to a clinical diagnosis.
New Jersey prevention efforts reach schools and families
Rutgers researchers recommend starting gambling prevention education in middle school and making information available to parents, teachers and counselors as well as students.
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey runs a 10-session youth prevention program for ages 8 to 18. Schools can offer the program as part of the regular school day or make it available to students after classes. Its lessons address addiction and other risky behavior, giving educators one way to start conversations before students reach legal gambling age.
The council also works with the NJ Lottery on underage gambling prevention. Its “Not 18 Yet? No Bet” message is a reminder that lottery tickets, including those given as gifts, are not for children.
Parents can ask whether a teen has bet with friends or relatives, paid to enter a game offering a prize, or continued playing to recover money they lost. Borrowing money, concealing bets, or withdrawing from usual activities can give families a reason to talk, though those signs alone do not establish a gambling problem.
Help is available for families concerned about teen gambling
Parents concerned about a teen’s gambling can call or text 1-800-GAMBLER. The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey runs the free, confidential helpline around the clock and can help families find counseling and other resources.
Parents can also use the council’s online chat, even if their teen has not asked for help.
