The Hidden Crisis of Underage Gambling in Australia
The issue of underage gambling in Australia is becoming increasingly alarming, with young people exposed to gambling at an earlier age than ever before. This trend is not only a matter of concern for parents and educators but also a growing public health issue that requires urgent attention.
A Personal Story: Dylan’s Journey into Gambling
Dylan, now 24, first encountered gambling at the age of 15 when he lost his birthday money on an online game. The app, which he had downloaded onto a school iPad, was a puzzle game that relied on chance rather than logic and used cryptocurrency as betting currency. “I lost the whole $100 and I remember I was pretty devastated,” he recalls. Despite this loss, he found himself returning to the app during class or in his bedroom at home, spending the money he earned from a part-time job at a fast-food outlet.
What started as small bets quickly escalated. “I was only doing about $100 per week. And then I discovered a website where you can play dice.” Big wins and even bigger losses followed, and after a very lucky streak, Dylan’s bets began to blow out. “I remember there was a point where I did a $32,000 bet and I was like, ‘I’ve got to stop.’ But I couldn’t resist the urge to press the button … what if this one was the one that made it all back?”
Dylan says it’s easy for anyone to open a gambling account, including those who are underage. “You would be surprised.”
The Prevalence of Underage Gambling
According to a 2025 discussion paper by the Australia Institute, one in three 12 to 17-year-olds gamble, with approximately 600,000 teenagers involved. This number increases to 902,000 when including 18 to 19-year-olds. Secondary-school teacher David often overhears his Year 11 and 12 students discussing their gambling in class. “You hear conversation around the common room and in the halls about multis, especially same-game multibets for football,” he says. He has even caught a student placing a bet during class, finding a gambling app on her phone while tracking an NBA game live at 11 am on a Thursday.
The Normalisation of Sports Gambling
For 19-year-old Liam, playing footy and gambling were inextricably linked. Using his older cousin’s gambling account, he placed his first bet when he was 16 or 17 years old. Many of his mates did the same, opening accounts using the names of older relatives. “Me and my mates put on a fun bet. We didn’t win but while watching the game, we had adrenaline rushing through our body,” he recalls. That started a pattern of gambling with friends — like a social thing — throughout Year 11 and Year 12.
As Liam entered Year 12, the gambling increased. “Throughout the weekends of Year 12, you finish your footy game and then go out to a pub at night and then try and put some money on the horses so you can pay for an extra drink or just maybe do it to socially fit in,” he says. “It’s addictive when you start winning money.”
The Role of Marketing and Social Media
Hannah Pitt, a public health researcher from Deakin University, highlights the role of marketing in normalising gambling among young people. “Young people themselves say they see gambling advertising everywhere — while walking down the street, on social media while scrolling,” she says. They are especially vulnerable to inducements like bonus bets. “When I spoke to young people or children in my study of eight to 16 year olds, they would talk about cashback offers and bonus bets and wanting to try gambling because it was basically risk-free in their eyes.”
Dr. Pitt also points out that influencer marketing is missing from the equation. “We know that young people think influencers are actually more influential than celebrities these days,” she says. “And there’s more of a blurred line on social media around what is a paid ad and what is just the person’s content.”
The Impact on Mental Health and Relationships
For Dylan, the impact of gambling has been devastating. “I played, got hooked and it’s just been non-stop since then.” Since placing his first bet at 15, Dylan says he’s lost “at least $900,000” on pokies, online and at casinos. “I think last year I lost about $250,000 when I added it all up. Just pretty shit when you look at it, to be honest,” he says. The impact on his personal life has been enormous. “I’ve been lying to pretty much everyone … it definitely has a toll on your mental health.”
Signs Parents Should Look For
Nicola Palfrey, a clinical psychologist from Headspace, notes that children are naturally more vulnerable to gambling harm due to the development of their prefrontal cortex. “So developmentally there’s a lack of capacity physically [and] chemically to be able to see through the consequences of your actions.”
Parents should look for signs such as changes in spending habits, a drop in school marks, a sudden interest in professional sports, and the use of gambling terms in conversation. “Combine impulsivity with risk-taking behaviour and shame and stigma, and we can get into quite dark places quite quickly with young people if they are in over their head,” Ms. Palfrey says.
What Can Parents Do?
Ms. Palfrey suggests asking your child’s “permission to be invited into their world.” “Often we don’t like the notion that we need to seek permission to be invited into our kids’ world,” she says. “This doesn’t sit well with parents … but that positioning is much more likely to get you a result.”
By understanding the risks and being vigilant, parents can help protect their children from the dangers of underage gambling. It’s time for a broader conversation about how we can better support young people and create a safer environment for them.
