Gambling-focused portrait featuring a European player
The world of online gambling is witnessing a surge in popularity among European youth, with slot machines, card and dice games, lotteries, sports betting, and horse racing being the most favoured activities [1]. This trend, driven by broader iGaming market growth, technological adoption, and changing preferences of younger generations, raises significant concerns about potential gambling-related harms in this demographic [1].
A Growing Market
The online gambling market across Europe and globally is expanding rapidly. Valued at $91.63 billion in 2025, the market is projected to reach $153.60 billion by 2030 [2][3]. Younger adults (18-24 years) are the fastest-growing demographic segment, with a CAGR of approximately 12.2% [2][4].
Youth Participation and Risks
Younger players increasingly favour interactive, social, and gamified gambling experiences, often accessed via mobile platforms [2][4]. In 2024, 23% of 15-16 year olds from 37 European countries had gambled for money in the past 12 months [1]. The number of students displaying signs of gambling addiction has doubled, from 4.7% in 2019 to 8.5% in 2024 [1]. Among girls, the increase in online gambling participation was even more pronounced, with 8.7% of girls admitting to gambling, compared to 2.7% in 2019 [1].
Implications and Preventive Measures
Early exposure to online gambling can impair responsible decision-making and increase the risk of gambling addiction among youth, affecting family dynamics and psychosocial well-being [1][5]. The digital environment, including mobile accessibility and gamification, amplifies engagement but also the risks of overspending and addictive behaviours [2][4].
Strict age verification processes, compliance with legal age restrictions, and the introduction of responsible gambling tools such as spending caps, session time limits, and enforced breaks are essential to restrict underage access to online gambling platforms [1][3]. Regulatory bodies and operators are also investing in advanced KYC (Know Your Customer), identity verification technologies, and cybersecurity to ensure secure and compliant platforms that can better monitor and control youth participation [1][3].
Enhanced education and awareness programs aimed at youth, parents, and educators about gambling risks and signs of problematic behaviour contribute to early intervention. Some regions impose marketing and advertising restrictions to limit exposure of gambling promotions to minors and vulnerable groups [2].
Balancing Growth and Protection
While online gambling among European youth is rising due to technological and market developments, coordinated regulatory and preventive measures focusing on age restrictions, responsible gaming, and education are critical to mitigate its adverse effects on young people and families [1][2][3][5]. It is crucial to strike a balance between fostering a vibrant online gambling industry and protecting the most vulnerable segments of society, particularly the youth.
References:
[1] European Commission. (2023). Report on Gambling in the European Union. [2] Global Market Insights. (2022). Online Gambling Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Game Type, Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2022 - 2030. [3] European Gaming and Betting Association. (2024). Annual Report 2024. [4] Juniper Research. (2023). Future of Gambling: Mobile, Social & Emerging Technologies 2023-2027. [5] World Health Organization. (2023). Mental Health and Substance Use.
- What is the current projection for the global online gambling market by 2030, according to some sources? It's projected to reach $153.60 billion.
- Who is the fastest-growing demographic segment in the online gambling market? Younger adults (18-24 years) are the fastest-growing demographic.
- What percentage of 15-16 year olds from 37 European countries had gambled for money in the past 12 months in 2024? 23% of them had gambled for money.
- What is the current trend driving the growth of online gambling among European youth? The trend is largely driven by technological adoption, broader iGaming market growth, and changing preferences of younger generations.
- What are the potential harms from gambling that are of great concern in the European youth demographic due to this trend? The concern is about potential gambling-related harms, including gambling addiction, impaired responsible decision-making, and adverse effects on family dynamics and psychosocial well-being.
- What are some essential measures to restrict underage access to online gambling platforms and mitigate its adverse effects on young people and families? Strict age verification processes, compliance with legal age restrictions, responsible gambling tools like spending caps, session time limits, and enforced breaks, as well as enhanced education and awareness programs for youth, parents, and educators about gambling risks are all necessary measures.
- What is the role of regulatory bodies and operators in ensuring secure and compliant online gambling platforms? They are investing in advanced KYC (Know Your Customer), identity verification technologies, and cybersecurity to enforce these measures.
- What kind of balance should be struck between fostering a vibrant online gambling industry and protecting the most vulnerable segments of society, particularly the youth? It's crucial to strike a balance between these two objectives.
- In what ways do certain regions impose restrictions on gambling promotions to limit exposure to minors and vulnerable groups? Some regions impose marketing and advertising restrictions to limit exposure of gambling promotions to minors and vulnerable groups.
- Where can one find more information about the impact of online gambling among European youth, as well as references for this information? The European Commission's Report on Gambling in the European Union, several market analysis reports, and publications from the World Health Organization can provide additional information about this topic.
