What’s an Emerging Adult? And What Do They Have to Do With Gambling?
Published: September 29, 2025
You may have heard the term “emerging adult.” Though there are different definitions based on age, the term most often refers to young people who are generally considered adults but cannot yet legally partake in certain kinds of substances, like alcohol, or certain kinds of entertainment, like gambling and sports betting. Stuck between youth and adulthood, emerging adults are an especially important group when it comes to preventing underage gambling.
Even though people think of them as adults, emerging adults’ brains and self-identities are still developing. The prefrontal cortex, which is the part of the brain we use to make decisions and weigh risky behaviors, is not fully mature until the mid-20s. Emerging adults’ sense of self-identity, risk management, and social connection are also still developing, with one prominent psychologist calling them the “in-between age.”
Many emerging adults are just beginning to spend more time away from their parents, and are being exposed to new behaviors and experiences, including social betting with their friends or in apps and games that simulate betting without real money. But since they cannot legally access gambling and sports betting or are just beginning to age up into legal play, emerging adults are at increased risk of being exposed through unsafe outlets, like unregulated internet casinos, and have limited knowledge about the risks of gambling.
So how can parents, teachers, and professionals effectively prevent youth gambling among emerging adults who are underage — while also encouraging responsible play for emerging adults who can legally play? It’s a tricky problem. But a solution to it can start with one simple idea: making sure to be aware and have the conversation about gambling early.
There is a great deal of scientific evidence about the negative things that can happen when underage youth gamble. Youth who engage in gambling experience a greater risk of negative consequences later in life, from possible gambling and substance use disorders to poor relationships and issues holding down a job. Preventing underage youth from gambling reduces those risks.
But to most effectively prevent underage gambling among emerging adults, you must go beyond simply stopping them from seeing or doing it. For older youth, especially teenagers and people under 21, having a conversation about the risks of gambling is vital. By having a conversation, you are equipping them with real knowledge they can use in the world, which is why Change the Game Ohio offers discussion guides and resources for parents, educators, and community professionals.
Conversations are even more important as emerging adults age up and become legally allowed to gamble. Having the conversations with youth early lays the groundwork for a more adult conversation about responsible play when they get older. By having a trusted adult educate them on the risk before they are allowed to play, emerging adults will obtain a greater understanding of how to engage responsibly when they reach legal age. For those who are older than 21, Pause Before You Play offers many resources and strategies to keep gambling and sports betting responsible and fun.
Have questions about an emerging adult’s gambling or your own? Call the free and confidential Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or text HOME to 741741. Trained and understanding specialists are ready to take your call 24/7 with no strings attached. Additionally, the Ohio Gambling Telehealth Network now offers no-cost virtual telehealth service.