The impact of gambling: a crisis that kids and teens are paying for

Ricardo Wako, Country Manager, Kids Corp Brazil

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In recent years, online gambling, currently known as betting, has expanded alarmingly in Brazil, affecting adults and minors.

Exposure to online betting has grown considerably, driven by factors such as the lack of specific regulation, easy access to betting platforms and a massive wave of advertising that encourages the normalization of these practices from an early age.

The phenomenon of gambling, especially through online platforms, is increasingly rooted in society. In Brazil, three out of every 10 parents of children aged 10 to 17 report having gambled in the last month*. Most of them are men under 44 years old and from a medium-high socioeconomic level.

Of those who gamble, 92% place bets through formal channels, such as websites and apps. However, 13% also use informal channels, such as WhatsApp and Facebook groups.

This trend raises significant concerns among parents about the impact of this habit on their children: 84% fear developing a gaming addiction and 80% are worried that their children will start playing.

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The impact of gambling on the under-18 demographic is even more alarming and deserves priority attention. Kids and teens between the ages of 10 and 17 in Brazil not only have a high level of knowledge about gambling, but also show a worrying tendency to actively engage in the sport:

●  84% are aware of the existence and possibility of placing bets online;

●  30% have already played and an alarming 68% have done so in the last month .

Likewise, social influence is key to this behavior: 61% of those who recently gambled did so because of a friend’s experience, which reflects how the feeling of belonging plays a crucial role in normalizing these practices.

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But the problem doesn’t end there. The financial and economic effects are clear:

●  54% used money they didn't have to gamble;

●  39% fear not being able to stop gambling, indicating a clear vulnerability to addiction.

These figures reflect the urgent need for measures to protect the under-18 public from the risks associated with gambling.

Just as a decade ago, several companies in the digital sector committed to building a safer internet for future generations, the new sports and entertainment industries must become aware of the harm they cause to young people. It is essential that these players act responsibly to ensure an environment that prioritizes the general well-being, but especially that of the new generations.

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RESTRICTIONS ON GAMBLING ADVERTISING

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The impact of gambling on minors is not an isolated or random phenomenon. It is driven, in large part, by the normalization generated by aggressive advertising practices, especially in sports environments. Betting advertising is ubiquitous in sports, especially in football, using the passion for clubs and idols to connect with these vulnerable audiences.

In Brazil, 75% of first division teams are sponsored by bookmakers, constantly exposing children to these brands. According to data from the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL), these companies will invest around R$2 billion (US$346 million) in Brazilian football by 2025, consolidating their influence in the sports sector.

Despite the regulatory advances promoted by the National Advertising Self-Regulation Council (Conar), the Executive Council of Standard Norms (CENP) and the Brazilian Association of Advertising Agencies (ABAP), it is clear that current regulations, such as Law 14,790/2023, are still insufficient to comprehensively address the risks associated with gambling.

The normalization of sports betting reflects a regulatory vacuum that, as a society, we cannot ignore. We have already seen the positive effects of regulating advertising for other harmful products, such as tobacco and alcohol.

In Brazil, cigarette advertising is banned in the mass media and restricted to points of sale. Alcoholic beverages face strict restrictions, such as a ban on associating consumption with social or sporting success, in addition to the obligation to include warnings about responsible consumption and sales restrictions.

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Following these precedents, it is urgent to implement similar regulations for betting.

● Gambling advertising should not be available to children and adolescents in any media, considering that it is inevitable that they watch sports;
● Access to these platforms should be strictly restricted to those over 18 years of age, through effective identity verification.

Gambling is a problem that cannot wait any longer to be solved. As a society, we must prioritize the protection of children and young people, ensuring that they grow up in a safe environment, away from the influence of serious addictions that threaten the well-being and development of the most vulnerable.

Inaction is not an option. It is time to act by establishing regulations and ensuring that betting platforms and their advertising are kept out of reach of under-18 audiences. Only then can we stop this harm and build a more responsible future for future generations.

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* Source: Kids Corp Insights Portal . Sample of 4,639 respondents (parents and children aged 10 to 17). Online surveys conducted in August and September 2024 .

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