Adelaide university research warns on youthful gambling

Dr. Daniel King, a researcher at the University of Adelaide in Australia told Australian Associated Press reporters Monday that the advent of digital and social gaming now calls for greater parental vigilance, because marketing is increasingly targeted on the young.

King revealed the results of a survey he conducted among 1287 teenagers aged between 12-17, claiming that 40 percent of young people who played simulated gambling games on the internet and smartphones reported a preoccupation or intention to gamble in the future, with many accessing games through social media, smartphone apps and video games.

“The real [marketing] strategy is to engage young people in gambling applications, developing their familiarity with the game,” he told AAP.

“[Then] have them learn the fundamentals of gambling and offer an easy way to transition from that form of gambling to money-based gambling.”

While not all young people who played would become problem gamblers, early exposure could accelerate the risk, Dr King said.