Gambling Awareness: Important Facts for Youth

This article is courtesy of MPC intern, Bianca Jackson.

Gambling Awareness for Youth: What Teens Need to Know

Gambling isn’t just something that is only limited to casinos now. Today, it shows up in sports betting apps, online prediction markets, video game features, and even social media promotions. Because of this, teens and young adults are being exposed to gambling earlier than ever.

According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, youth are at higher risk for developing gambling problems than adults. Research cited by the National Institute on Drug Abuse also shows that early exposure to addictive behaviors increases the risk of long-term problems.

Why Is Gambling Risky for Teens

Teen brains are still developing, especially parts that are responsible for decision-making and impulse control. Gambling is made to trigger excitement and reward pathways in our brains. The fact that it’s so unpredictable makes it even more addictive. Some risks for youth include:

• Losing money meant for school/personal expenses

• Increased stress, anxiety, or depression

• Hiding behavior from parents/friends

• Risk-taking areas might spill into other areas (substance use/other unsafe decisions)

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention highlights that risky behaviors in adolescence often become clustered. This means that gambling problems might occur with other concerns.

Online Platforms & Youth Access

Some platforms blur lines between investing and gambling. For example, Kalshi operates as a prediction market where people can trade on real-world event outcomes. This can be anything from what team wins, what game, election outcomes, to something so small as the highest temperature in New York City for that day. Compared to sports betting apps, that require users to be 21 and over, Kalshi allows users who are 18 years and over. Even though Kalshi is regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), people argue that prediction markets can feel very similar to gambling, especially to younger people.

Possible Warning Signs in Teens

Parents, teachers, and other peers should watch for warning signs such as:

• Obsession with betting, odds, or prediction apps

• Borrowing and even stealing money

• Mood swings related to wins/losses

• Gambling to potentially “win back” lost money

The National Council on Problem Gambling reports that early intervention can significantly improve outcomes.

How Teens Can Protect Themselves

There are many ways that teens can protect themselves from falling into these dangerous habits. Some ways can be just understanding that gambling platforms are designed to take money from users, keep firm financial boundaries, and that they can talk to a trusted adult if gambling feels out of control. Gambling might seem harmless or “cool”, but it can carry real risks. The earlier a person starts gambling, the higher the chance of developing other problems later in life. Education, awareness, and open conversations are key to prevention.

References

Commodity Futures Trading Commission. (n.d.). Commodity Futures Trading Commission | CFTC. Www.cftc.gov. https://www.cftc.gov/

Kalshi. (2026). Signing Up as an Individual. Kalshi.com. https://help.kalshi.com/en/articles/13823778-signing-up-as-an-individual

National Council on Problem Gambling. (2025). Youth Gambling Factsheet. https://www.ncpgambling.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/2025-Youth-Gambling-Factsheet.pdf

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2025, November 14). Gambling Disorder in the Age of Mobile Sports Betting | National Institute on Drug Abuse. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/about-nida/noras-blog/2025/11/gambling-disorder-in-the-age-of-mobile-sports-betting

Weyland Smith, B. (2023). DMHAS Problem Gambling Services and Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG) Youth Gambling and Gaming Assessment Summer 2023. https://gamblingawarenessct.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2023_Gambling-Survey-Report.pdf