Preliminary results of the study, based on a survey of 2,349 students aged between 14 and 18 from eleven Catalan high schools, indicate that 3% of young people show signs of addiction, such as difficulty controlling behavior, using gambling as an emotional regulator, or failed attempts to quit.
“"Gambling with money starts at age 14, with a clear majority profile of boys living in neighborhoods with a lower socioeconomic level."
Professor José Tomás Mateos García explained at a conference that sports betting and online casinos are the types of gambling that generate the most addiction. This increase is due to the "brutal" accessibility of online gambling at all hours and in any location, according to Professor Yolanda López del Hoyo.
The consequences of pathological gambling, considered a public health problem, include economic damage, academic dropout, mental health issues (anxiety, depression, high risk of suicide), and even physical problems, as affected individuals have more heart issues. Furthermore, it has been shown that up to six people close to the affected person also suffer the effects.
Another addiction risk is "loot boxes" in video games, virtual items paid for with real money to receive a random selection of in-game objects. UdL researcher Filip Bellon warned about the role of tipsters or influencers who present betting as a skill that can be learned, distorting the perception of chance.
Researchers emphasize the need to strengthen pathological gambling prevention policies. In the city of Lleida, they highlight that there are betting houses and gambling establishments located less than 100 meters from several high schools.
