Online gambling harms: Why young people in care need targeted protection
Sep 2024
Written by Kelly Royds Janise Mitchell
Online gambling is a significant risk for young people, particularly those in out-of-home care. The Australian Government is currently considering its response to the 31 recommendations from the parliamentary inquiry into online gambling harms. Among these recommendations, a comprehensive ban or potential reduction of gambling advertising has garnered the most attention. This is unsurprising, given the established link between exposure to betting advertising and riskier gambling behaviour.
While these reforms are a positive step, they must be viewed within the broader context of the unique vulnerabilities that young people in care face. Despite the rising threat of online gambling, resources and programs designed to protect and support these young people are not keeping pace. Many are left exposed to significant harm with limited, targeted support available to them.
Research from the Growing Up In Australia Longitudinal Study of Australian Children revealed that 16% of Australians aged 16-17 participated in underage gambling within a 12-month period. The most common gambling activity for these teenagers was private betting with friends or family, which has no legal age restrictions. However, a concerning 5% reported betting on sports and races, which are strictly restricted to those aged 18 years and older and about 2% of 16-17-year-olds reported spending money on poker machines, casino table games, and Keno, despite these activities requiring proof of age.
Janise Mitchell, CEO of the Australian Childhood Foundation and Director of the CETC, highlights the particular risks for young people in care: “Young people in care are navigating complex emotional landscapes. The rise of online gambling adds another layer of risk that we cannot afford to ignore. The current support systems simply aren’t enough to counter the sophisticated and pervasive nature of online gambling today.”
The role of advertising and digital games
The appeal of online gambling to young people is not accidental. Gambling companies design their ads to be highly engaging and attractive, particularly to younger audiences. For young people in care, who are often contending with trauma histories, difficulties in self-regulation, and a lack of capacity for delayed gratification, the lure of gambling is particularly dangerous. These vulnerabilities make them more susceptible to the promises of quick wins and easy money, which gambling ads often emphasise.
The “gamblification” of digital games, often targeted at children, can serve as a gateway to more harmful gambling behaviours (Brock & Johnson, 2021). These games often include loot boxes or other chance-based rewards, which can condition children to gambling-like habits from a young age. Our practice and anecdotal experience suggest that children and young people need supportive adults to help them navigate the nuanced nature of these activities and understand the risks involved. Unfortunately, many young people in care lack access to such consistent and supportive adults, putting them at additional risk of progressing to online gambling.
What needs to happen next
Anne Hollonds, former Director of the Australian Institute of Family Studies, points out that “heavy involvement in gambling during adolescence can lead to a variety of issues such as relationship problems and poor educational outcomes. Some of these young people might be at greater risk of gambling-related harm in the future.” The study also found that teenagers who engaged in risky behaviours, such as drinking alcohol or smoking, were more likely to gamble. For young people in care, who may already be exposed to environments where such behaviours are prevalent, this correlation is particularly concerning.
The Australian Government’s response to the parliamentary inquiry is crucial. While steps like the introduction of Betstop, the National Self-Exclusion Register, and the ban on credit cards for online gambling are positive moves, they fall short of addressing the specific needs of young people in care.
We must retool out-of-home care to better serve adolescents and young adults at risk of harmful online behaviours. We can start by listening to what young people have already told us about strategies to reduce gambling harm, as captured by Pitt et al. (2022).
Having regular conversations with young people about their online behaviours, including gambling, is crucial. Carers and front-line workers play a vital role in setting clear boundaries around online activities and fostering honest, non-judgemental discussions about gambling. For young people in care, and others, it’s essential to reinforce that any challenges they face are not their fault and that help is available.
References
Australian Institute of Family Studies. (2024, August). Advertising just one piece of the gambling reform puzzle. https://aifs.gov.au/resources/news-and-events/advertising-just-one-piece-gambling-reform-puzzle
Australian Institute of Family Studies. (2019, December). Gambling activity among Australian teenagers. https://aifs.gov.au/media/gambling-activity-among-australian-teenagers
Brock, T., & Johnson, M. (2021). The gamblification of digital games. Journal of Consumer Culture, 21(1), 3-13. https://doi.org/10.1177/1469540521993904
Pitt, H., Thomas, S. L., Randle, M., Cowlishaw, S., Arnot, G., Kairouz, S., & Daube, M. (2022). Young people in Australia discuss strategies for preventing the normalisation of gambling and reducing gambling harm. BMC Public Health, 22, 956. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13201-0
