Rutgers Study Finds Nearly 43% of US Teens Gambled in Past Year

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. – A Rutgers University study found that 42.7% of US teenagers ages 13 to 17 gambled in the past year. The findings raise concerns about minors’ exposure to gambling and products that may fall outside traditional regulatory safeguards.

Researchers surveyed 1,677 Americans ages 13 to 27, finding that 52.5% had participated in gambling activities during the previous 12 months. Among those who gambled, 39.5% showed some symptoms of problem gambling, while 10.3% were classified as high risk.

The Rutgers University research announcement covers 21 gambling activities, including bingo, raffles, games of skill, sports betting, cryptocurrency trading and prediction markets. This broad definition means the participation figures are not limited to regulated casino gambling or sportsbook wagering.

Nearly 11% of Teen Gamblers Classified as High Risk

Among teenagers ages 13 to 17 who reported gambling, approximately 11% were classified as high risk for gambling-related problems. Across all respondents who gambled, high-risk rates were similar for females at 10.7% and males at 9.9%, challenging the perception that gambling problems primarily affect young men.

The study was led by Lia Nower, director of the Rutgers Center for Gambling Studies, with research co-authored by Jackie Stanmyre. Data was collected between April 24 and July 4, 2026, using NORC at the University of Chicago’s probability-based AmeriSpeak panel.

Researchers used the Problem Gambling Severity Index to assess gambling-related symptoms. A high-risk classification indicates substantial problems associated with gambling but does not constitute a clinical diagnosis of gambling disorder.

Family Gambling Exposure Associated with Higher Risk

Family behavior emerged as a significant factor in the findings. Among teenagers classified as high risk, 75.5% reported having a family member who gambled, 66.3% believed a family member had a gambling problem, and 61.2% had gambled alongside a family member.

Across all teenage respondents, 51.5% reported gambling activity among family or household members. Young people who believed someone in their household had a gambling problem were more than five times as likely to fall into the high-risk category, although the findings establish an association rather than causation.

The results add to concerns raised by earlier Irish gambling research, which identified an association between childhood gambling exposure and gambling problems later in life. The studies examined different populations but both highlighted the relevance of early gambling experiences.

Prediction Markets and Social Casinos Raise New Concerns

The Rutgers researchers also examined emerging activities that may not be subject to the same safeguards as conventional gambling products. Approximately 40% of respondents who participated in prediction markets and 41% of social casino players were classified as high-risk problem gamblers.

These figures cover participants ages 13 to 27 and do not establish that either activity caused gambling problems. Researchers also found that high-risk participants were more likely to engage in multiple gambling activities and use both online and in-person venues.

Gambling-related problems were associated with wider mental health concerns. Among high-risk respondents, 52.8% reported anxiety, 38.4% reported depression and 13.1% reported suicidal thoughts. The survey does not establish whether gambling contributed to these conditions or whether other factors explain the associations.

In response, the Rutgers research team recommended introducing gambling prevention education in middle schools, strengthening oversight of emerging gambling-like products and establishing national minimum safeguards. The researchers also called for dedicated federal funding for gambling prevention and treatment.

The full Rutgers study materials provide detailed findings on gambling participation, family exposure and mental health. Researchers hope the results will inform earlier prevention efforts and future policies as young people encounter gambling across an expanding range of digital platforms.

RELATED TOPICS: Responsible Gambling