Those who play online (64% of players) prefer sports betting (in 1 case out of 3) or betting on other events (26%). Almost half of young players say they play and bet because their friends do it while 1 in 3 because it has always been done in the family
In 2023, 37% of children between 14 and 19 years old played games of chance or chance, favoring the online channel in 64% of cases. And if the percentage of young people involved in gambling has decreased over time - while inevitably remaining high in a target group that should not have access to gambling, the percentage of regular players increases. These are some data that emerged from asurvey conducted by Nomisma to photograph the behavior of young generations in relation to gambling. The analysis falls within the scope of Young Factor Monitor, the Nomisma Observatory which allows you to monitor, know and understand the lifestyles, habits and values of boys and girls aged between 14 and 19. The study highlights the spread of gambling in Italy among younger people, with a 14% of frequent user, i.e. young people who play at least once a week (+9% compared to what was recorded in 2021), and suggests the importance of constant monitoring of the phenomenon to define effective and concrete prevention and awareness actions. In this scenario, gambling collections in Italy continue to grow and the data is alarming: 35.026,47 million euros spent in the first quarter of 2023 alone in Italy to try their luck, with a +14% compared to the same period of 2022, a year which had already seen a total increase of +23% compared to 2019. The overall annual gaming volume in 2022 amounted to 135.934,55 million EUR.
The web is the main gambling channel for Gen Z: 64% choose the internet to play and bet (+18% compared to 2021). However, the number of young people who go to physical venues to play decreased by 17% compared to 2021, where 40% buy scratch cards while 29% bet on betting. Among the most frequent online games stand out betting: sports (31%), events (26%) and horse racing (16%). Online poker players, however, decreased by -12%.
But why does gambling involve so many young people?
Among the main motivations, family and friends play a fundamental role. In fact, 46% of kids say they have played in the last 12 months because their friends were already doing it, while 32% said that gaming is a family habit. 15% instead try their luck because they need money and 12% for escape and entertainment. Different meanings and meanings attributed to gambling by young players and non-gamblers. If young non-gamblers describe gambling using monetary and dark components (loss of money 46%, risk 16%, addiction 19%), Gen Z who play or bet think of the playful aspects of gambling, intended primarily as a pastime (22%), risk (20%) or fun (19%).
“Recent news events have put the spotlight back on a phenomenon that too often goes unnoticed and does not receive adequate attention. Even without considering the seriousness of the problem of betting on illegal channels and platforms, with all the implications it entails, gambling in Italy is a constantly growing activity, and which deserves to be monitored even among young people below of 19 years. The fact that it is often a habit borrowed from family and friend networks increases the exposure of very young people to serious risks. The level of awareness of similar risks is objectively modest and constant, large-scale awareness raising would be necessary"Comments Valentina Quaglietti, Head of Customer Observatories at Nomisma.
Nomisma is an independent company that has been offering sectoral and territorial studies, economic research and market intelligence, evaluations, decision support tools, strategic advisory and consultancy services since 1981. Solid multidisciplinary skills and consolidated experience in the interpretation of economic phenomena, impartiality and authority are the values that have always guided Nomisma's activity. Through a structure made up of over 50 professionals and a widespread network of highly qualified collaborators who operate both in Italy and abroad, Nomisma is committed daily to giving innovative answers and providing targeted solutions to support decision-making processes and cognitive and business needs of more than 500 companies, associations and public institutions.
