The participation of minors in in-person gambling reached 17% last year, with a higher prevalence among boys (24.5%) than girls (10.2%). In online gambling, 12% of students participated, rising to 19.4% for boys and 4.4% for girls.
Psychologists like Javier Feliz, operations director at Desconect@, point to a rise in traditional betting among adolescents aged 12 to 18, who often do not perceive the risk. Isabel Busquet, a health psychologist at Amalgama7, states that two out of every four adolescents present gambling or "screen addiction" problems.
Sports betting, card games for money, and roulette are the most frequent among young people. Busquet highlights that online sports betting is an "entry door" to addiction, perceived as normal by adolescents.
Behavioral addictions, such as video games and gambling, cause similar brain effects to substance addictions, according to Feliz.
The typical profile of an adolescent addicted to gambling is a boy between 14 and 17 years old, impulsive, with low frustration tolerance, seeking easy money, and from middle-to-upper-class families. Easy access, anonymity, and massive advertising, including from influencers and footballers, are key factors.
Detecting this addiction is difficult, as it is often recognized late. It is recommended to monitor bank accounts, money movements, and be attentive to symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, mood swings, or isolation.
Access to betting by minors is often achieved using stolen IDs from adult relatives or friends, both online and in physical venues. Online platforms do not commit a crime if they register a valid ID.
Experts emphasize the need for clear guidelines for schools, families, and sports centers, along with strong prevention and education to protect the most vulnerable young people.
