One in three adults under the age of 45 placed a sports bet before turning 21, according to results from a national survey released Monday that found growing concern about the risk of gambling addiction among youth.
The survey, conducted late February by The Harris Poll on behalf of the National Council on Problem Gambling, found that 33% of respondents aged 21 to 44 had placed a sports bet before turning 21, the legal age to gamble in most states. Only 11% of respondents 55 or older said they placed a sports bet before turning 21.
Overall, approximately 65% of adults said they had participated in a gambling-like activity before they turned 21, including lottery or scratch-off tickets, games at home with friends or family for money, sports bets, online casino-style games and fantasy sports.
"Youth are at significantly greater risk for developing gambling problems, and as gambling becomes increasingly normalized in media, sports, and online spaces, the risks grow," Heather L. Maurer, executive director of NCPG, said in the release announcing the results. "Prevention and education are essential to ensure young people, families, educators, and policymakers understand the potential harms and are protected from early exposure."
Among the 2,072 adults surveyed, 79% considered gambling addiction to be as serious or more serious than alcohol, drug or other addictions, and 66% said they were concerned about the impact of gambling exposure on youth. Only 15% of the survey participants said they had ever been asked about gambling habits by a primary care provider.
"What we're seeing is that the majority of Americans recognize gambling addiction as a legitimate behavioral health issue," Maurer said. "The next step is ensuring our public health systems, policies, and prevention strategies reflect that understanding."
Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia offer legal sports betting, and online prediction markets that offer trading on sports outcomes operate nationally. Thirty percent of respondents consider prediction markets similar to gambling, a higher percentage than those who said they were financial forecasting or investing.