Youth and online betting risks

If you are a parent, guardian or manager of young employees, you may have noticed how normal online betting has become for younger people. It is worth understanding the risks, without panic, so you can talk about it openly.

What it is

Online and app-based betting has made gambling more accessible, faster-paced and more socially normalised than ever before, particularly for young people who have grown up with smartphones. Sports betting, in-app promotions and social media advertising often blur the line between entertainment and gambling. Because the adolescent and young adult brain is still developing its capacity for impulse control and long-term thinking, young people can be especially vulnerable to the fast rewards and near-misses that betting apps are designed around.

Signs to notice

• Secretive phone use, especially around sports fixtures or app notifications
• Sudden interest in sports statistics, odds or betting slang
• Borrowing money frequently or unexplained spending
• Mood that rises and falls sharply around match times or results
• Defensiveness when asked about phone apps or spending
• Falling behind at school, university or work without a clear reason

What helps

• Start the conversation early and without judgement - ask what apps they use and what interests them, rather than leading with an accusation
• Talk openly about how betting apps are designed to keep people engaged, including free bets, streaks and push notifications
• Encourage separate, visible bank accounts or spending limits where possible, so patterns are easier to notice
• Model healthy money and screen habits yourself - young people notice more than they say
• Involve young people in setting their own boundaries around betting apps, so the limits feel like their own choice
• If a young person in your life has already run into trouble, focus first on connection and support rather than punishment

When to reach out for help

Consider professional support if a young person is borrowing or hiding money, if betting is affecting their studies, work or relationships, if they seem unable to stop despite wanting to, or if they show signs of low mood or anxiety linked to gambling. Early support makes a real difference, and reaching out is a sign of care, not failure.

Getting help in South Africa

The National Responsible Gambling Programme offers free, confidential counselling for problem gambling, including for young people, on 0800 006 008. Cleared Mind's EAP counsellors are also available to support parents, guardians and employees navigating this with a young person in their life. SADAG's Mental Health Line on 011 234 4837 can help with related anxiety or mood concerns.