Online gambling in youth

Abstract

This chapter summarizes the current literature on gambling and gambling disorders among youth. The emergence of online gambling, together with the legalization, social acceptance, and appearance of new forms of gambling or gambling-related factors, such as internet gambling, daily fantasy sports, and sports betting or loot boxes, may raise particular concerns for vulnerable populations. Adolescents are at a developmental stage characterized by increased autonomy, identity formation, social exploration, and brain development and often have high levels of sensation-seeking and impulsivity. As such, addictive or problematic engagement in gambling may have significant impacts on developmental trajectories in youth. This manuscript summarizes current knowledge, includes considerations for future research to help address current limitations in knowledge, and provides recommendations focused on the prevention of youth gambling behaviors and gambling problems in the current and evolving digital environment.