Petition to Protect Minors from the Dangers of Sports Betting

I urge governments, schools, and parents to take immediate action against the rising issue of sports betting among teenagers. This activity, while illegal for minors, is becoming alarmingly accessible and poses serious risks to their mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being. Online streamers regularly feature gambling on all kinds of things: sports betting, casino streams and more. Platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel market on popular TV shows, watched by youth. Previously, gambling was limited to inside physical casinos, gated by security: now it is internet viral. 

The Facts

Sports betting is increasingly prevalent among young people due to its accessibility and normalization through advertising and social media. According to a report by the European Gaming and Betting Association, nearly 12% of minors in Europe have engaged in gambling activities, with 7% exhibiting signs of problem gambling. In other words, more than half of minors involved in gambling may have a gambling issue. In Italy, the Istituto Superiore di Sanità found that 10% of teenagers aged 14 to 17 have gambled in the past year, with 6% showing behaviors indicative of addiction. Problematic gamblers are defined as those who play every day, for many hours, and lose significant amounts of money.

Furthermore, gambling companies spend billions annually on advertising, much of which targets younger demographics. Research from the UK Gambling Commission indicates that 80% of children and teens recall seeing gambling advertisements, and over half report being tempted to try betting as a result. The combination of easy access to online platforms, peer pressure, and targeted marketing has created a perfect storm for this crisis. Many gambling sites have weak verification methods intentionally to reduce friction to signing up. 

The State of Underage Gambling is Shocking: 

• More that 53% of students between the ages of 15 and 19, equivalent to about 1.3 million young people, have placed various types of bets. Of these, nearly 800,000 are minors.

 

• 40% of the surveyed young people reported never having document checks in gaming halls, bars, and tobacconists for activities like slots, VLTs, betting, and scratch cards, all of which are illegal for minors.

 

• Another 40% said they rarely experienced document checks, and only 20% reported frequent checks.

 

• These percentages are similar to those regarding checks on sales of cigarettes and alcohol to minors.

My Personal Experience

At my school, I have witnessed the devastating effects of sports betting among classmates. Some started gambling casually but quickly spiraled into addiction. In a particularly terrifying case, a student resorted to stealing money to keep betting. To address this, I organized an event featuring a psychologist who explained the psychological traps of gambling and a professional soccer player who shared their story about the risks involved. The event opened many students’ eyes to the dangers, but I realized that individual efforts like this are not enough. We need collective action to tackle this issue effectively.

Our Appeal

1. To Governments: Enforce stricter regulations to prevent minors from accessing gambling platforms, increase penalties for violations, and fund awareness and rehabilitation programs. Require ID verification at a minimum, similar to social media laws in Australia. 
2. To Schools: Implement comprehensive gambling education in curricula, provide counseling for affected students, and promote healthy extracurricular activities. Don’t pretend this isn’t a problem.
3. To Parents: Stay informed about the dangers of gambling, monitor your children’s activities, and maintain open communication to guide them away from these risks. A bit of light gambling can spiral fast. Keep credit cards inaccessible. 

Together, We Can Fix This Crisis! 

Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to the lure of gambling, but with collective efforts from governments, schools, and families, we can safeguard their future. By signing this petition, you are supporting the fight against underage gambling and helping to create a safer environment for our youth. You are standing against dangerous companies, often seeking to captivate a young audience for life.