A study conducted by the Association for Research and Prevention of Excessive Gambling (ARPEJ), in collaboration with the National Gambling Authority (ANJ), found that in 2025, 42.6% of adolescents aged 15 to 17 reported having gambled at least once in the 12 months preceding the study.
This translates to approximately four out of 10 young people and represents a 7.8% increase compared to the findings from the 2021 survey.
What did the research data show?
The survey included 5,000 participants assessing gambling participation among minors.
The increase in underage gambling is primarily driven by those who exclusively play scratchcards, which are mainly bought at retail outlets by their parents.
In terms of gaming preferences, 34.3% reported playing scratchcards (up from 27.3% in 2021), 20.0% reported playing draw games (increased from 16.9% in 2021), and 11.4% reported participating in sports betting (an increase from 9.9% in 2021).
What about online gambling?
Online gambling has increased at a more moderate pace, climbing from 3.9% to 5.5%.
Gambling is more prevalent among boys, according to the data, with 45.5% participating, compared to 39.6% of girls. In 2025, both the frequency of adolescent gambling and the amount they spent on it increased.
The percentage of 15 to 17-year-olds who gamble weekly has risen from 8.9% to 12.1%. Meanwhile, median spending increased from €6 ($7.07) to €10.
The survey highlights the decisive influence of parents on minors’ access to gambling. In 2025, 65% of young gamblers reported that they accessed gambling at retail outlets with the help of their parents.
Additionally, 36.9% used their parents’ online accounts with their consent, while 26.4% created personal accounts with parental assistance.
How is gambling being perceived?
According to a qualitative study, most parents perceive gambling as a recreational activity and downplay its impact on minors, except when the parents themselves have gambling problems.
Approximately 78.8% of respondents reported being exposed to gambling advertising. Among all participants, 10.5% indicated problematic gambling behaviours, with 5.4% reporting excessive gambling.
Boys were more likely than girls to exhibit these problematic behaviours. The proportion of problem gamblers has decreased slightly compared with 2021.
To determine the proportion of minors experiencing gambling-related problems, the Canadian Problem Gambling Index (CPGI) was used.
Commenting on the study results, Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, President of the ANJ, stated: “This increase in underage gambling is concerning. It once again reflects the normalisation of gambling, whereas young people’s first encounter with this product should be delayed, not encouraged.
"As we know, the earlier gambling begins, the greater the risk of addiction. To change the situation, all stakeholders must act with determination."
Following the publication of the study, France's main online gambling industry group, L’Association Française du Jeu en Ligne (AFJEL), has reiterated its demand for zero tolerance regarding underage gambling and for more vigorous action against the illegal market.
For the first time, the study evaluated how 15–17-year-olds perceive gambling. The findings show that two-thirds of adolescents (67.4%) hold a negative view of it
