Gambling Commission: Young men feel confident gambling despite not understanding odds

A new report by the Gambling Commission focuses on how teenage boys and young men are introduced to gambling at a young age.

The survey was conducted by HumanKind and strengthens previous findings by the Commission.

Before the structured interview, the participants were asked to define gambling through a list of gambling and gambling-like activities. In younger participants, gambling was viewed as an adult activity in bookmakers or online casinos; but in those aged 18 and over, gambling was "a typical leisure activity, embedded in sport, socialising, and entertainment."

However, both recognised the gambling potential in loot boxes, pack openings, fantasy football, and social media challenges.

According to the report: "Across ages, the perceived boundary between 'gambling' and 'not gambling' depended less on the activity itself and more on whether (significant amounts of) real money was at stake. Activities that felt fun, social, or low-cost were often excluded from participants' personal definitions, even when they carried similar mechanics of chance, reward, and risk."

The interview revealed that although most of the participants felt confident that they knew how odds and gambling products worked, they could not explain them in detail: "Self-reported understanding was high, but genuine comprehension appeared limited."

Participants also noted 'learning' through social media tipsters, although their lack of knowledge suggested this simply guided their decision-making rather than actually educating them on gambling - while many of the explanations were lifted from promotional material.

Gaming loot boxes were recognised as the most common way that participants were first exposed to gambling, but older participants felt that the visibility of gambling content was "constant" across social media.

Participants also reflected that gambling was a "small but meaningful expression of independence" once they turned 18, especially if encouraged by friends of the same age. But rather than it being a new experience, many already felt comfortable after years of encountering gambling-like mechanics and watching influencers.

Lauren Cole, Gambling Commission Research and Impact Manager, said: "The research highlights that risk among this demographic is cumulative. It's shaped by accessibility, social norms, impulsivity, financial freedom, and major life transitions.

"Key moments - such as turning 18, starting paid work, or going to university - often converge to heighten vulnerability. Risk builds gradually rather than stemming from a single event."