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Sports betting and gambling

What is gambling?

Gambling is the practice of betting something of value (usually money) on an uncertain outcome in the hopes of winning something else of value. Common forms of gambling include lotteries, casino games, and sports betting.

In the United States, gambling is restricted by age, though the specifics vary by state. Long before they can legally gamble, kids see gambling activity in TV shows, movies, ads, and on social media. Kids may start gambling with in-game purchases, often revolving “rare” or “collectible” items, on their phone, laptop, or gaming system. 

What is sports betting?

Sports betting is the term for gambling money on the outcome of a sporting event. People may gamble on anything from the final score to how they predict a certain athlete will perform. Sports betting has grown in popularity and is now embedded in sports culture and media. Sports announcers mention how certain bets are performing, and streaming services allow users to track bets during live events. Influencers share betting tips and picks with their followers.

While sports betting remains illegal for children, this normalization makes it look exciting, fun, and low-risk. Talking with your child about gambling can help them understand that it also has serious downsides.

How are young people involved in sports betting?

Gambling is popular among young people, even if they can’t do it legally. Two in five kids (ages 12-17) say they have gambled in the past 12 months, and nearly a third say they started gambling at age 10 or younger.

Sometimes, a parent with a sports betting account or casino app lets their child place bets of their own, or a teen may have an older friend willing to place bets on their behalf.

It’s important to remember that young people who gamble are at higher risk of developing a gambling problem because parts of their brain are still developing, and they may not fully understand the consequences of their decisions. [Source: New York Council on Problem Gambling]

How can I talk with my child about gambling and sports betting?

Make a habit of talking about money with your kids, even when they’re young. Talk with them about how they want to save or spend their money, and let them make mistakes.

Before talking about gambling with your child, prepare for the conversation. Whether or not you gamble, you may find it helpful to read about how young people use fake IDs, VPNs, and other people’s accounts to access gambling apps, often without their parents knowing. Common sports betting apps include DraftKings and FanDuel, while “prediction markets” like Polymarket and Kalshi allow people to bet on almost anything.

Here are a few ways to start:
  • The next time you and your child are watching a game or other sporting event on TV together, you’re likely to see a commercial for a betting app. Use that—or something the announcer says—as a jumping-off point for a conversation about sports betting. Ask if they’ve ever bet on a game or if they know anyone who uses sports betting apps. 
     
  • If you and your child often talk about the news, you could share a recent article about the growth of teen gambling. Ask them if it’s relevant in their life, and why they think it’s becoming so popular.
     
  • Explain that even when people can gamble legally, they should only wager money they can afford to lose. Share why people say “The house always wins”—gambling companies are designed to make a profit, not to reward gamblers.
     
  • Remind your child that sports betting may feel exciting and fun, because it provides a dopamine rush. But it may lead some people to gamble more, take bigger risks, or lose large amounts of money.
     
  • If your child is gambling, ask open-ended questions about their betting activities and why it appeals to them. You may want to talk about how addictive gambling can be, especially for young people. Or, you may focus on the fact that they are likely to lose the money they’re gambling. Even if their friends are using the same apps, that doesn’t make it OK—or legal. Share your biggest concerns while remaining open and curious. 

It’s important to have these conversations with your child, because a gambling problem could stay with them for life.

How can I continue the conversation with my child about gambling?

Talking about gambling doesn’t encourage it—it helps young people understand why it’s risky. No matter how the first conversation goes, raise the topic again in the future.

If you gamble—whether by buying lottery tickets, betting on sports, playing casino games, or in some other form—think about what you’re role-modeling for your child. The goal is to help them understand the risks so they can make informed decisions on their own.

Sports betting is more than a financial issue. Young people are also more likely to develop an addiction, since their brains are still developing. [Source: Child Mind Institute] And even for young people who aren’t addicted, gambling can have negative effects on their mood, their relationships, and their finances.

Warning signs that a child may have a gambling problem can often be subtle. Look for:

  • Personality or behavior changes (including isolation)
  • Failure to take care of themselves
  • Loss of interest in their usual activities
  • Increased interest in certain sports or athletes
  • Academic struggles
  • Change in spending habits
  • Secrecy around their online activities
  • Borrowing or stealing money
  • Expensive new possessions

If you think your child may have a gambling problem, encourage them to talk about it with you. If they struggle to stop, that may be a sign they need additional help. Ask them to uninstall the gambling apps, and help them find support.

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