Child Gambling – What are the Risks?

One of the major concerns nowadays is the increase of time spent by children in gambling. In UK, 55,000 children aging 11 to 16 are already considered “problem gamblers“. The National Audit Office also states that:

There is an estimated number of about 85,000 gamblers to be at risk.

Children gambling is, by far, really different from adult gambling. However, it seems that it may impose a very destructive effect over some areas of the child’s life. This may cover their health, education, and finances.

The Risks of Child Gambling

Here are some of devastating effect of gambling among children:

1-Sleep deprivation

Younger gamblers are usually gambling for around 12 to 14 hours in a day. And, mostly, their playing time is during the night which may have a big impact on their sleeping pattern.

2-Out-of-school instances

Since, younger gamblers may play during the night, there may be a high possibility that they may be asleep the whole day. With that, they may not able to attend school.

3-Unable to control their money spent

Children, at the age of 11 to 17 years old, who tends to gamble cannot control the way they spent their money. Most often, they have an increased rate of money spent due to in-game purchases especiallu during the lockdown.