A report from Common Sense Media, “Betting on Boys: Understanding Gambling Among Adolescent Boys,” reveals something many parents don’t expect: more than one in three boys are already gambling before they’re old enough to vote.

For today’s boys, gambling doesn’t start in casinos or betting shops. It shows up in the games they already play, in the sports content they follow, and in the videos that appear in their feeds. Loot boxes, skin betting, fantasy leagues, and “just for fun” wagers blur the line between playing and paying.

The study is based on a nationally representative survey of 1,017 boys aged 11 to 17 and explores how peer groups, family habits, and online platforms shape their exposure to gambling.

To make sense of what this means for families, we’ve extracted 9 useful insights—and asked a psychologist to help us understand what to do with this information and how to better support and protect our teenagers.

Key takeaways:

• Many boys start gambling earlier than expected
• It often begins through video games and social media
• Most exposure is passive, not intentional
• Friends and family strongly influence behavior
• Small spending can grow over time
• Early conversations and clear rules make a difference

9 insights about gambling parents should know

It’s easy to look at statistics and feel unsure what they really mean for your own child. These insights break things down in a more practical way, so you can see where gambling fits into everyday life for boys today.

1. Gambling starts much earlier than most parents think

• 36% of boys (11–17) gambled in the past year
• It rises to almost 1 in 2 by age 17

Among those who gamble, 65% stick to one activity, but more than a third already explore two or more different gambling activities.

Related: What to do if your child gets scammed online: A parent’s step-by-step guide

2. Gambling doesn’t look like gambling today

According to the survey, 23% of boys engage in gaming-related gambling-like systems. For most kids, this doesn’t feel like betting, it feels like opening a reward, unlocking something rare, or getting lucky in a game. But the mechanics are the same: you pay, you take a chance, and you hope for something better.
That’s how the habit begins without being called gambling.

3. Gambling content just shows up on feeds

• Nearly half see gambling-related content
• Only 14% actively searched for it or follow accounts that post about it
• 59% say it “just started showing up” in their feed
• 24% encountered it through friends

Algorithms, suggested videos, and shared content slowly make gambling feel like a normal part of what they watch. Boys who watch this type of content more often tend to spend more money and are more likely to overspend compared to those who don’t ($72 vs. $33)

Related: Should Parents Follow Their Teenagers on TikTok?

4. Real money is being spent and lost

More than half (54%) of boys involved in gaming-related gambling spend real money on random in-game rewards like loot boxes, gacha pulls, or skin cases.

On average, boys who gamble spend around $54 per year, but that number hides big differences. For example, boys who reported losses of $51 or more in the past year spent, on average, $159.

They are also more likely to cross boundaries. Higher-loss gamblers are nearly three times more likely to use their parents’ debit or credit cards without permission (21% vs. 8%).

5. Friends matter

• 84% of boys gamble if their friends do
• 57% of boys with mostly gambling friends participate in two to three different gambling activities
• Only 17% do if their friends don’t 

When gambling becomes something “everyone else is doing,” it’s much harder for a teenager to stay outside of it—especially when it’s framed as fun or harmless. Boys with gambling friends are more likely to try multiple types of gambling and to engage more frequently.

Related: Emoji Meanings in Teen Culture: From Jokes to Cyberbullying - What Parents Should Know, According to a Therapist

6. Family habits play a role, too

One-third of boys (34%) say they’ve gambled with family, most often through things like lottery tickets or scratch-offs, and sometimes through season-long sports bets or fantasy leagues.

The study also shows that boys who gamble with family are more likely to have access to money for gambling—about 30% use their parents’ cards with permission.

7. Most boys use their own money for gambling

• 36% use allowance or personal spending money
• 23% use a parent’s card with permission
• 30% of older teens (14–17) use money from jobs or side gigs (vs. 7% of younger boys)

For most boys, gambling starts with their own money, small amounts that don’t feel significant at first. But as they get older, both access and spending increase. Older teens are more likely to use multiple sources: their own money, earnings, gift cards, and sometimes family funds.

8. Most boys don’t see a problem, but some feel the impact

• 66% say gambling hasn’t caused problems
• 27% report at least some negative effects, including stress or conflict with parents
• 40% say they’ve felt regret at least sometimes

Related: Privacy vs. Secrecy in Adolescence: How to Help Your Tween Tell the Difference

9. Conversations and rules often come too late

• 59% of boys have talked to parents about gambling
• Most say those conversations were brief
• 33% have never talked about it at all

In many families, the topic only comes up after something has already happened. Even when conversations do happen, they tend to be short and reactive, rather than something ongoing. And that shows in how rules are set and followed. Boys who gamble are more likely to describe family rules as loosely enforced, while non-gamblers are more likely to report stricter boundaries.

According to the researchers, this pattern may have several explanations. Parents may only bring up gambling once they notice a problem, or they may see it as something that concerns older teens. In some cases, they are simply responding to questions rather than starting the conversation themselves. And for many, there’s uncertainty around how to approach the topic, especially when it’s tied to gaming and online content.

How to talk to your son about gambling, according to a therapist

We asked Anca Ivu, clinical psychologist and cognitive behavioral psychotherapist, what parents can do—and how to talk to teens about gambling. Here are her suggestions:

1. Start early—and name what’s happening

Gambling doesn’t always look like gambling. It can show up in loot boxes, in-game purchases, fantasy leagues, or friendly bets.

It helps to talk about how these systems work—chance, rewards, and losing money—not just “gambling.”

You can start simply:
“I want to talk about something important. These games aren’t just games—they’re designed to keep you playing and sometimes spending money.”

2. Separate the behavior from your child

If the conversation feels like criticism, most teenagers will shut down.

Instead, shift the focus:
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you. I think you’re in a system that’s designed to pull you in.”

This reduces defensiveness and keeps the conversation open.

3. Set clear, non-negotiable boundaries

This is one area where clarity matters.

Many parents avoid firm limits, but some rules are part of the parent’s responsibility:
“I’m not okay with you spending money on this.”

The rules don’t need to be strict in every area—but they should be clear and consistent when it comes to money.

4. Pay attention to the social side

Gambling is often something boys do together.

If their friends are involved, stepping away becomes much harder. Staying curious about what’s happening in their group helps you understand the pressure they might feel.

5. Watch for early signs

Small changes can be early signals: spending more than planned, hiding purchases, using money without permission, or expressing regret.

These are easier to address early, before patterns form.

6. Try to understand what draws them in

Gambling is rarely just about money.

Ask questions like:
“What do you like most about it? Is it the feeling, the idea of winning, or the fact that your friends are doing it?”

Understanding the “why” helps you respond more effectively than focusing only on the behavior.

7. Keep the relationship open

What matters most is that your son feels he can come to you—even when something doesn’t go well.

“Even if you make mistakes or don’t tell me everything, I want you to know you can always talk to me.”

Help your child stay safe online

What matters most is staying present, asking questions, and keeping the conversation open—so your son feels comfortable talking, even when something doesn’t go as expected.

A Bitdefender Family Plan can support you along the way, helping you manage internet time, filter content, and get a clearer picture of how apps and online habits evolve.

Find more about it, here.

FAQ

At what age do boys start gambling?

Many boys are exposed to gambling-like activities in early adolescence, often through video games. By age 17, nearly half report some form of gambling.

Is gaming gambling for kids?

Not always—but features like loot boxes, skin betting, and random rewards use similar mechanics, such as chance and paid outcomes.

What are early signs of gambling problems in teens?

Early signs can be easy to miss. They often show up as small changes in behavior, such as spending more money than planned, hiding purchases, using money without permission, or expressing regret or stress after spending.

How can parents prevent gambling problems?

Start conversations early, set clear spending rules, and stay involved in how your child uses games and money.