Adolescent Gambling | Elementary School Intervention Required?

The American public is now aware of the fast-growing gambling problem among the nation’s young adults. Reports of teenage gambling habits have also stirred concern in households and secondary schools across the country. What comes as to a shock to many, however, is that gambling behavior is becoming increasingly evident in early adolescence.

Results of a two-decade long study from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) analyzed gambling behavior among college student athletes have just been released. You can reference the report here. Within the 75-page document was one alarming observation pulled from survey responses between 2016 and 2024:

Adolescent Gambling Elementary School

Nearly as many male student athletes started gambling for money before high school as the population had in college. And while early adolescent gambling among the female segment has been and remains notably lower, double-digit values are concerning nonetheless. Further, their proportions are predicted to grow as sports betting is fueling a rise in gambling behavior among young women. Of particular concern is that illegal gambling rings have recognized the potential for this young demographic. Just north of our border, one illegal online operation was found targeting students as young as 14 years old and threatening them over debt accrued on the platform. While the latter may be an extreme reference-point, we’re sure the nation can ubiquitously agree that gambling behavior among early adolescents is unacceptable. Research confirms that not only is adolescent gambling associated with problematic gambling in adulthood. it has also been found that young adult gamblers who initiated gambling behavior as adolescents are more likely to report substance use problems than were young adult gamblers who started gambling as adults.

Those who help mold the behaviors of children are called upon to be mindful of complicity, and instead take a proactive stance to prevent gambling among elementary school aged youth. Below is a summary of how parents and educators can make a positive difference.

How Parents and Educators of Elementary School Children Can Help Prevent Adolescent Gambling (and future adult gambling behavior)


I. What Parents Can Do (and avoid doing)

No Gambling with Family Game Time

Millennials, Generation-X, and Baby Boomers alike recall game nights with the family that included causal poker and card games alongside checkers, Game of Life, Sorry, and Monopoly. Some even accompanied their grandmothers to the local bingo hall. These poker/card games seemed harmless enough, even when chips were swapped for nickels and dimes. But times have changed. Not only is the nation more informed about gambling harms, vulnerable populations face an increased risk with the legalization of sports betting and proliferation of online sportsbooks and casinos. Consequently, parents are encouraged to leave the cards and bingo-dabbers off the table along with wagers on the outcomes of any household competition, be it Battleship or shooting hoops in the carport.

No Lottery Tickets as Gifts for Kids

Tucking a lottery scratch card into a child’s birthday card or Christmas stocking may seem like a fun addition to their celebratory gifts. The problem, is that it plants seeds of gambling behavior from the moment they scrape the rub-removable latex substance from the stub. Cease doing so, and ask that extended family members do the same. View more on the potential harms associated with scratch cards as gifts.

Monitor Online Games for Gambling Features

Video games can be an enriching part of family entertainment. However, a number of games include gambling features that place adolescents in harm’s way. One game called My Supermarket Simulator 3D that is top ranked in the “Family” category in the Apple app store (even though it’s rated 17+) is currently under investigation for promoting gambling to young players. Meanwhile, CSGO which is rated 11+ by parental watchdog Common Sense Media, has also been labelled for promoting gambling to youth. Other games that are popular among adolescents and associated with promoting gambling via loot box integrations include the following:

  • Roblox
  • Mario Kart Tour
  • Star Wars Battlefront 2

Parents are asked to closely monitor any and all games and gaming apps that their young children are playing.

Talk to Them Often About the Harms of Gambling

Since the prohibition era (maybe earlier) parents have been warning their children about the harms of alcohol in addition to assorted substances that change a person’s mental or physical state. It’s time for households to adopt the same strategy and stigmatize gambling in family meetings and casual observations, such as when gambling ads stream across the living room TV. Online casino and sports betting commercials are on regular rotation, increasing adolescent exposure exponentially more than experienced by generations prior. Follow these tips to talking to young children about gambling ads and for how to talk to them about gambling in general. Go ahead and tell the younger ones that it will stunt their growth too. No holds barred, folks!

Set a Positive Example

Observational learning in adolescence describes the process where children learn by watching others. If a child witnesses gambling behavior on a regular basis, it becomes normalized in their psyche. Whether or not a parent gambles is a choice they’re entitled to make as an adult. However, one can also choose to not let their children see them gamble, whether it’s a weekly poker night with the neighbors or online betting on Monday night football.

If unable to control gambling around your child, you may want to reassess your own relationship with it.

II. What Educators Can Do (and avoid doing)

Don’t Enable Gambling in Classroom Settings

It goes without saying that gambling concepts should not be considered when coming up with fun ways to teach math to a class. Nor should casino party themes be introduced into school events, such as promoted with this Pinterest board for an 8th grade graduation Vegas theme. Moreover, educators are encouraged to block access to tools that enable online gambling among young students. Gaming site/app blocks should be placed on all library and class-provided computers. But what about the smartphones and tablets that kids bring with them from home? At press, a growing number of U.S. states are implementing or considering state-wide bans on mobile devices in schools. Educators and policymakers suggest bans will help mitigate youth mental health concerns and distractions during academic instruction.

Introduce Gambling Harms Course in Curriculum

For decades now, American public and private elementary schools have integrated courses to teach young students about the harms associated with alcohol and drugs – things that many are exposed to at-home and in society. This is supported by a number of groups. For example, KidsHealth in the Classroom recommends the integration of alcohol and drug education at Grade 3 (aged 8 and up). It therefore makes sense to introduce a course about the harms associated with gambling at this grade as well. This initiative should be spearheaded together with a mental/behavioral health provider with expertise in problem gambling. Kindbridge can assist with the development of curriculum materials and strategy for how it can best be integrated into the elementary school environment.


Kindbridge offers family counseling services for problem gambling. In addition, we provide support services to various organizations and institutions across the country. We are therefore uniquely qualified to help prevent gambling behavior on both fronts of the adolescent experience. Reach out via the contacts provided below to learn more.

Concerned About Adolescent Gambling in Your Household or School?

CALL +1 (877) 426-4258

OR

Email [email protected]

Adolescent Gambling Elementary School