Over 902,000 Australian teens gamble illegally online each year
Research found more than 902,000 Australians aged 12 to 19 gamble annually, with about 600,000 of them still under 18.
A 2025 Australia Institute study analysing data from 2017, 2023 and 2024 found over 902,000 teenagers gamble each year. About 600,000 are aged 12 to 17, when betting is illegal.
Young people create fake accounts with false ages to bypass limits and instantly set up betting accounts. Social media gambling influencers promote betting sites and poker machines to youth audiences.
Students place bets on phones during class, at lunchtime and between lessons. One 22-year-old said roughly 25 per cent of his year 12 peers were betting when he was in school.
He started at 16, chasing losses until he wagered all his savings, $3,500, on a single horse race. Gambling researchers say offshore casinos and unlicensed operators specifically target young players.
- 902,000
- Teen gamblers aged 12-19
- 600,000
- Under legal gambling age
- 25 percent
- Year 12 gamblers at one school
- 3,500 dollars
- One gambler's single loss
Why it mattersHundreds of thousands of underage Australians gamble despite age laws, and many develop serious betting problems by chasing losses.
AustraliaAustralian teens access illegal gambling sites and bypass protections meant to keep them out, with many getting hooked to betting before they can legally do so.
Corroborated bytheage.com.au·watoday.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 d ago
