How To Spot and Talk About Online Gambling with Teens
Published: April 27, 2026
Today’s teens are notorious for their tech-savvy skills. For some, age limits and federal laws are easy to bypass if you know the right tricks, and many do. In this age of online gambling and sports betting, it’s not that teens go looking for trouble — but often, it’s the trouble that finds them first.
A Widespread Issue
Many teens find themselves on gambling platforms not from an urge to gamble and win money, but to connect with all the other individuals using these platforms, including friends, celebrities, and even athletes themselves. As an article from NPR news pointed out, sports betting and online gambling are as glamorized as cigarettes were in the 1940s. This level of publicity, mixed with gambling mechanics that are specifically habit-forming to developing minds, are how so many children, teens, and young adults are developing gambling disorders at alarming rates.
Additionally, many teens are no stranger to the tricks needed to get around age restrictions and local laws. They may achieve access through the account of an older friend, a fake ID, or things like VPNs that function as a tool to bypass many of these restrictions anonymously. These skills, mixed with the teenage urge to fit in, can be why so many teens are impacted.
Warning Signs a Teen Is Gambling Online
Around 4-8% of youths are impacted by disordered gambling, whereas 1% of adults are impacted, according to Mass.gov. To spot online gambling in your teen, here are some warning signs you can look out for:
- Abnormal changes in mood. Though mood swings can be somewhat typical behavior for teenagers, increased aggression, defensiveness, competitiveness, or heightened anxiety can be an indicator of online gambling.
- Declining academic performance. If a teen’s online gambling is increasing, grades are often the first to be impacted. Paying extra close attention to drops in grades can help you notice what your teen’s energy is prioritizing instead.
- Decreased extracurricular participation. Like academics, other activities may be affected if a teen is online gambling. Often these activities have less habit-forming mechanics than gambling, which is why a teen will drop these engagements to continue gambling online.
- Less motivation for social activities. Developing minds may struggle to balance their social life when their gambling participation increases. If your teen is spending less time with their friends, consider this a sign they might be battling something internal and may need support.
- Irregular changes with money. Complaining about needing more money one day, then buying a new pair of sneakers the next? These subtle behaviors can indicate a source of money you may be unaware of, like online gambling or sports betting.
- Increased online engagement. Teens spend more time online than most generations, but paying close attention to what they are accessing online will help you spot gambling participation. Find more information on the platforms that could put your child at risk here.
Start the Conversation
If your teen is demonstrating some of the warning signs listed above, they may be at risk for developing a gambling disorder. Here are talking points you can use to start this conversation and protect them from gambling harms.
- Get comfortable. Choose a space that offers comfort to your teen, like their room. This helps them feel more comfortable with opening up about their struggles.
- Respect their age. They may still appear like a young child to you, but teens feel more comfortable when spoken to like an adult. Ask questions to understand their perspective instead of assuming you know.
- Put yourself in their shoes. Consider their interests to help explain various points. Topics like retirement and savings accounts typically aren’t as interesting to a teen as new shoes and eating out with friends.
- Talk about the risks. They may either be unaware or disinterested in the long-term impacts gambling can have. However, explaining what they are missing out on now and how important things in their life — like access to friends, betting apps, and job opportunities — could be damaged by consistent gambling engagement can help a teen recognize the risks.
- Show your support. Let your teen know you are not attacking them, but only want what is best for them and their well-being.
A conversation is the best place to start. If you are concerned your teen is gambling online, consider having them take this quiz to gauge their risk for developing a gambling disorder. You’ll also be guided to additional support and resources to help you and your child through this experience. For more information about preventing youth gambling, visit our For Parents and For Educators pages from Change the Game Ohio.
And if you or someone you know is experiencing sports betting or gambling-related harms, don’t hesitate to call the free and confidential Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline. Understanding, non-judgmental local specialists are standing by 24/7 to take your call, with no commitments involved. Call 1-800-589-9966 or text 988 to get help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.