The regulator said a survey of 3,867 11 to 17 year-olds shows a rise in those reporting they have never gambled and a fall in those spending their own money on gambling since 2022.
The Gambling Commission has published findings from its annual Young People and Gambling Report 2026, based on an online questionnaire completed by 3,867 11 to 17 year-olds at academies, maintained and independent schools in England, Scotland and Wales.
The Commission said 74% of 11 to 17 year-olds indicated they had never gambled, which it described as a statistically significant increase from last year’s figure of 69.6%. It also reported that 26% had spent their own money on gambling in the last year, and that the majority of this gambling was legal or was on products that are not age restricted.
According to the Commission, 5% of 11 to 17 year-olds said they had spent their own money on age-restricted gambling products. It said there was no statistically significant change in the proportion of young people reporting negative consequences of gambling, such as missing school, lying to friends or family, or spending dinner money on gambling: 0.9% this year compared with 1.2% last year.
The Commission said operators are required to have robust protections to prevent children from accessing age-restricted products such as betting in a bookmakers or playing an online casino. It added that some gambling activities are legal or not restricted for this age group, with reported engagement rates including arcade gaming machines such as penny pusher or claw grab machines (19%), betting for money between friends or family (11%), and playing cards for money with friends or family (5%).
Ben Haden, the Commission’s Director of Research and Statistics, said the regulator’s focus is on ensuring children and young people are not able to spend money on age-restricted gambling products “with an appreciation of the wider context”.
The Commission said trend analysis between 2022 and 2026 indicates an overall decline in participation, with the proportion who experienced gambling in the last 12 months falling from 50% in 2022 to 45% in 2026, and those spending their own money on gambling declining from 31% to 26%.
What it means for players
The Commission said the findings are estimates based on self-reported responses and are used to guide regulatory action when appropriate, including protections intended to prevent under-18s accessing age-restricted gambling products.
Source: UK Gambling Commission, 12 November 2026.
Join the discussion - Click on the small icons to see comments from different users.