AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 29, 2026
Rutgers Report Reveals High Rates of Teen Gambling in the U.S.
According to a new national report by Rutgers University’s Center for Gambling Studies, over 40% of American teenagers ages 13 to 17 have engaged in some form of gambling in the past year. The findings highlight growing concerns about teen gambling and its accessibility to minors despite legal restrictions.
Scope of the Survey and Its Methods
Researchers at Rutgers surveyed approximately 1,700 Americans between the ages of 13 and 27 in the spring and early summer, aiming to capture a comprehensive view of gambling behaviors among adolescents and young adults. The study classified 52.5% of those surveyed as having gambled in the past year. For youth aged 17 and under—where such activity is illegal—the rate was nearly 43%.
Problem Gambling on the Rise
Of the minors who gambled, around 11% were identified as being at “high risk for problems.” Across all respondents who reported gambling, nearly 40% demonstrated symptoms of problem gambling, and 10% met criteria as “high-risk problem gamblers.” Lia Nower, the lead author of the report and director of the Center for Gambling Studies, emphasized that the findings are alarming, stating, “Now teens who should be playing sports are betting on them, often with family members.”
Types of Gambling Activities Among Teens
The Rutgers study used a broad definition of gambling, including 21 types of activities. These ranged from street games and lottery tickets to games of skill, cryptocurrency trading, and prediction markets. The most popular form was scratch-off lottery tickets, followed by bingo and other lottery tickets. About 20% of reported gamblers had participated in sports betting, while just over 6% engaged in prediction market wagering.
Gambling Accessibility and the Influence of Technology
The report points to increased gambling accessibility through technology, with mobile gambling apps and online betting platforms making it easier for youth to participate. Since the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to strike down a federal ban on sports gambling, legal sports betting has expanded to 39 states and Washington, D.C. This has further exposed young people to wagering opportunities, including through advertising during televised sports and branded partnerships.
Lack of Comparable Historical Data
The report notes that measuring trends in youth gambling is challenging due to differing methodologies and age groups among past studies. While a 2007 Journal of Gambling Studies paper found 68% of respondents aged 14 to 21 had gambled in the previous year, direct comparisons cannot be made. However, the Rutgers findings suggest a higher prevalence of problem gambling among today’s youth participants than in earlier studies.
Calls for Early Prevention and Policy Attention
Lia Nower stressed the need for early intervention, stating, "Gambling is no longer confined to casinos and lottery tickets. It is increasingly embedded in video games, sports broadcasts and other products young people can access." She urged parents, educators, health professionals, and policymakers to act now to curb gambling addiction before it becomes more widespread in adulthood.
Nower recommends broader prevention efforts, earlier screening, and recognition that the gambling environment has changed drastically. “We cannot wait until young people reach adulthood to begin addressing gambling-related harm,” she said.
Source: nbcnews.com.
