A New York psychologist says children are accessing online betting through adults’ devices and accounts, while constant exposure to gambling promotion is normalising risky behaviour.
A New York psychologist has warned that gambling addiction is increasingly affecting children and young adults, with some patients reportedly as young as 11. Michael Adler, who treats people with gambling, substance-use and emotional disorders in Rockland County, said the trend is raising fresh concerns about minors’ access to online betting through phones and tablets linked to adult accounts.
Adler said the usual age checks on betting platforms are no longer a sufficient barrier when children can tap into a parent’s device or payment details. He also said younger patients can be harder to treat because they are less able to control impulses or grasp the long-term financial damage. In some cases, he said, children believe adults will simply pay off any losses, which makes the risk feel smaller than it really is.
The warning comes as gambling promotion is becoming harder for young people to avoid. Adler pointed to sports broadcasts and fantasy football-style betting games as examples of how gambling can be normalised. That concern is echoed by public health groups: the Maryland Council on Problem Gambling says gambling disorders can begin in children as young as 10, while research cited by The Guardian found that 41% of children aged 11 to 16 had gambled in the previous year.
Experts say parents should speak openly with children about betting and watch for warning signs such as preoccupation with gambling, increasing stakes, irritability when trying to stop, repeated failed attempts to cut back, secrecy, debt and other knock-on problems at school, at home or with the law. The Maryland council says early education and intervention are key, and in the US, people seeking help can call 1-800-GAMBLER or contact the National Council on Problem Gambling.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
