And gambling advertisements send messages that gambling is fun, exciting and a way to join in with others and get rich easily. Gambling and gambling-like experiences are so widespread that children see gambling as a normal part of everyday life, including sport. Why gambling seems like fun to children and teenagers Smartphones and tablets let young people gamble at any time, day or night. Many apps and games rated as OK for children have gambling themes and content. There are many gambling advertisements on TV, as well as thousands of online gambling websites, which children might access.Īlso, children can gamble without money on apps and video games. TV and the internet expose children to gambling. Some children move from these games to more serious types of gambling in later adolescence, like racing and other sports betting. Most children have gambled by the age of 15.įor children and teenagers, the most common forms of gambling are card games at home or school, lottery tickets and scratchy cards. The legal age for gambling on the pokies, at the TAB or at a casino is 18 years, but some children start gambling very young – as young as 10 years. Where, how and when children and teenagers gamble

What age can you gamble