Gambling Commission survey finds 74% of young people have never gambled
The survey of 3,867 pupils in England, Scotland and Wales found 5% had used their own money on age-restricted gambling products in the past year.
Key points
- The survey covered 3,867 pupils aged 11 to 17 in England, Scotland and Wales.
- The share who said they had never gambled rose to 74% from 69.6% the previous year.
- Some 26% spent their own money on gambling in the past 12 months; 5% used age-restricted products.
- Adverse effects were reported by 0.9%, a statistically unchanged result from 1.2% a year earlier.
The Gambling Commission reported on November 12, 2026, that 74% of young people surveyed in England, Scotland and Wales said they had never gambled, up from 69.6% the previous year.
The regulator's Young People and Gambling Report 2026 drew on classroom questionnaires completed by 3,867 pupils aged 11 to 17. The increase in the proportion who had never gambled was statistically significant, Focus Gaming News reported.
Over the past 12 months, 26% of respondents said they had spent their own money on gambling. The figure for spending on age-restricted gambling products was 5%.
Arcade machines, including penny pushers and claw grabs, accounted for the most commonly reported activity at 19%. Private wagers with friends or family followed at 11%, while 5% played cards for money in social circles.
The survey found that 0.9% of young people experienced adverse effects from gambling, compared with 1.2% the previous year. The change was not statistically significant. Examples included missing school, deceiving friends or family, and spending lunch money on bets.
Ben Haden, the commission's Director of Research and Statistics, said the regulator focused on preventing children and young people from spending money on age-restricted gambling products while considering the wider context.
Between 2022 and 2026, the proportion reporting any gambling experience in the preceding 12 months fell from 50% to 45%. The proportion spending their own money declined from 31% to 26%.
The report also examines exposure to gambling marketing and the overlap between video gaming and betting mechanics. The commission cautioned that the self-reported survey figures are estimates rather than independently verified accounts of activity.
Sources
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