New research from Australia highlights that early exposure to gambling and alcohol, often viewed as a “rite of passage,” is closely linked to riskier behavior and greater harm in adulthood. The study found that young people who start gambling or drinking before turning 18 face a higher likelihood of gambling and alcohol-related problems as adults.
Young gambling on the rise
The survey, conducted among more than 1,100 people aged 16-35 who had gambled in the past year, revealed that nearly one-third (29%) of participants had gambled before the legal age of 18, and three-quarters (75%) had consumed alcohol while underage. The study suggests that underage gambling significantly increases the risk of gambling-related harms in adulthood, mirroring similar findings for those who start drinking early.
Around two-thirds (68%) of respondents reported experiencing gambling harms, which include gambling beyond their financial means and feeling guilty or stressed about their habits. Additionally, heavy drinking was a common pattern among participants, with 70% of males and 45% of females reporting heavy episodic drinking—defined as consuming six or more standard drinks in one sitting. This behavior is strongly associated with both immediate alcohol-related harms and long-term health risks.
Notably, 45% of all participants said they now gamble on a weekly basis.
Dr. Kei Sakata, Acting Executive Manager at the Australian Gambling Research Centre, urged parents and other influential adults to reconsider the normalization of gambling and drinking as “rites of passage.” He warned that activities like taking underage teens to pubs to gamble or encouraging them to place their first bet may seem harmless but could lead to long-term negative consequences, affecting finances, relationships, and participation in work or education.
The normalization of gambling
The research also pointed to the normalization of gambling within communities, families, and social circles. Dr. Nancy Greer, Research Fellow at the Australian Gambling Research Centre, noted that 50% of respondents viewed gambling as a social activity, while 38% said gambling made watching sports or other activities more engaging. Many young people also had inaccurate perceptions about gambling, with more than a third believing it could be a way to make money, despite the low odds of success.
Dr. Sakata emphasized the need to prevent underage access to gambling and alcohol in public venues, stressing that stricter regulations and enforcement are necessary. “Venues need to be held accountable for allowing underage individuals to gamble or drink—it simply shouldn’t be an option,” he said.
Despite the widespread experience of gambling harms—reported by 68% of participants—88% of those affected did not seek help, primarily because they did not believe they needed it. An additional 8% expressed a desire to seek help but refrained due to embarrassment. Dr. Sakata highlighted the stigma surrounding gambling problems as a major barrier to seeking support and called for a public education campaign to reduce this stigma. He also urged the government to acknowledge the limitations of the “responsible gambling” approach and consider stronger regulatory measures.
The study gathered data through an online survey promoted via social media, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with a subset of participants who reported gambling and drinking in the past year.
