Although problem gambling has been primarily thought of as an adult behavior, recent research has suggested that it remains a very popular activity amongst both children and adolescents.

Studies conducted over the past decade suggest that gambling activities remain particularly attractive to today's youth and that its popularity is on the rise amongst both children and adolescents. Prevalence studies conducted in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Europe, and in Australia all confirm the rising prevalence rates of youth involvement in both legal and illegal forms of gambling. While approximately 80% of High School students report having gambled for money during the past year, 4-8% of adolescents presently have a serious gambling problem with another 10-14% of adolescents at-risk for developing a serious gambling problem (Jacobs, 2000; National Research Council, 1999; Shaffer & Hall, 1996). Yet, for most parents and teens, gambling is viewed as an innocuous behavior with few negative consequences.

Gambling Only for Over 18s

Most sportsbooks will be very cautious when opening accounts, and also when placing bets by phone. Most of them will check if an account is being used by a minor or ask for a proof of age, but for online sports betting becomes really difficult for a Sportsbook to know if an account is being used illegally.

There is a couple of ways to prevent your children from gambling, and it's called Parental Control Software, sure you have heard of them Net Nanny, Spy Parent, Cyber Sitter, Control Kids are just a few of them. These programs will stop theme related pages from displayed in your computer if the parental lock is activated. Please be sure to check them to keep your children safe from youth problem gambling.

The good thing about them also is that they will stop your children from viewing any inappropriate content, ranging from online gambling to adult sites.