Rutgers survey finds 43% of teens gambled last year

More than 40% of American teenagers aged 13 to 17 reported gambling in the past year, according to a new survey published Wednesday. The data indicates that betting has moved from physical casinos to the devices many families use daily. This shift is changing how young people engage with money and risk.

Lia Nower, director of the Rutgers Center for Gambling Studies, led the research team. She stated that anyone can now carry a sportsbook in their pocket. Nower noted that teens are often betting on sports they play, sometimes using family members' accounts. The study covered nearly 1,700 participants between the ages of 13 and 27 during the spring and early summer months.

Among the 17-and-under group, 43% said they had gambled. Nower described this as the first national prevalence study of its kind in nearly two decades. The report does not provide a direct comparison to historical trends, making it difficult to confirm a long-term rise. However, Nower referenced a 2007 study where 68% of those aged 14 to 21 had gambled, though the methodologies differed.

The financial risk is evident in the problem gambling metrics. Among respondents who gambled, nearly 40% showed symptoms of problem gambling. Ten percent were classified as high-risk problem gamblers. For the teens under 18 who gambled, about 11% fell into the high-risk category.

The researchers defined gambling broadly to include 21 activities. This list spans scratch-off tickets, lottery games, bingo, and cryptocurrency trading. Nower explained that the definition includes anything where money is wagered on an uncertain outcome. Scratch-off tickets were the most common activity, followed by bingo and standard lottery tickets. About 20% of gamblers said they bet on sports, while just over 6% used prediction markets.

The legal environment supports this growth in betting. More than eight years have passed since the Supreme Court struck down the federal law restricting state-level sports gambling. Sports betting is now legal in 39 states and Washington, D.C. Mobile apps have driven much of this participation, allowing users to access casino and sports options easily.

Nower said the findings should alert parents, educators, and policymakers. She argued that waiting until adulthood to address gambling harm will lead to higher rates of addiction. The team emphasized that prevention must start earlier and that screening needs to be broader to match the current market.