Youth, Teens and Gambling: Protecting the Next Generation

Gambling is reaching young people earlier than ever - here is how to spot it and step in

It started with a game on his phone

Karabo was 16 when his mother first noticed. It was not a casino, it was a game on his phone - loot boxes, in-game bets, a betting app a friend had shown him using an older cousin's details. Small amounts at first, then his airtime money, then asking to borrow. She had not thought to worry about gambling. He was still a child.

Gambling is reaching young people earlier and more easily than any generation before. This guide helps parents, teachers and young people themselves understand the risk and act early.

What it is

Youth gambling covers any betting or gambling-style activity by people under 18, from cards and dice to online betting, and increasingly the gambling-like features built into mobile games such as loot boxes, in-game purchases and simulated casinos. Although gambling is legally restricted to adults, young people access it through shared accounts, fake ages and game mechanics that blur the line between play and betting. Starting young raises the risk of problems later in life.

Common signs in a young person

• Preoccupation with betting, scores, odds or in-game spending

• Money, airtime or data disappearing; borrowing or asking for more

• Secrecy about phone or online activity

• Mood changes, irritability, or falling marks and lost interest in activities

• Selling possessions or unexplained items

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please reach out now: Suicide Crisis Helpline 0800 567 567, or SAPS 10111 in an emergency. You are not alone, and help is available 24 hours a day.

Why it happens

Young brains are still developing, especially the parts that weigh risk and control impulses, which makes the thrill of gambling especially powerful and harder to resist. Peer pressure, the desire to fit in, and the hope of easy money all add to the pull.

Technology has changed everything. Betting apps are a tap away, sports betting is advertised heavily around the games young people love, and many mobile games use gambling-style rewards that train the same brain pathways. In South Africa, where many young people face financial pressure and limited opportunity, the promise of a quick win can be especially seductive.

Self-help tools: for parents and caregivers

• Talk early and openly about money, odds and the reality that the house always wins

• Use parental controls and spending limits on phones, app stores and games

• Keep bank cards and account details out of easy reach

• Notice and name gambling-style features in games rather than ignoring them

• Lead by example with your own gambling and screen habits

Self-help tools: for young people

• Know that games and bets are designed to take your money, not give it

• Set your own limits and stick with friends who respect them

• Talk to a trusted adult if betting is taking your money, time or peace

How we can help

We support young people and the adults who care for them:

• Free, confidential counselling for young people and parents

• Guidance for parents and schools on prevention and early warning signs

• A warm referral to youth and family support services

When to seek support

Reach out if a young person is spending money they do not have, hiding online activity, or showing mood or school changes linked to betting or gaming. Early support is far easier than waiting. If there is any sign of self-harm, treat it as an emergency and call the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0800 567 567.

Try this (2 minutes)

The phone check-in. If you are a parent, sit with your teen and ask them to show you one game or app they enjoy, with genuine curiosity rather than suspicion. Ask how it makes money. The conversation itself - calm, interested, non-judgemental - does more to protect them than any lecture, and it opens a door you can return to.

Free South African support

• National Responsible Gambling Programme - 0800 006 008

• Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0800 567 567

• Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0800 567 567

• Gamblers Anonymous South Africa - support groups nationwide

References

American Psychiatric Association, 2013. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

World Health Organization, 2019. International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11): Gambling Disorder. Geneva: World Health Organization.

National Responsible Gambling Programme, n.d. Help for Problem Gambling. [online] Available at: https://www.responsiblegambling.org.za [Accessed June 2026].

South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), n.d. Helplines and Resources. [online] Available at: https://www.sadag.org [Accessed June 2026].

National Gambling Board of South Africa, n.d. Responsible Gambling. [online] Available at: https://www.ngb.org.za [Accessed June 2026].

This article offers general information and support. It is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are in crisis, contact the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0800 567 567 or SAPS on 10111. Your information is handled in line with POPIA; health information is treated as Special Personal Information.