In today’s society, gambling is more accessible than ever with the legalization of sports betting apps in nearly 40 states. In fact, the market for online gambling has reached $107.30 billion in the latest statistics in 2024. This is due to apps and websites such as Fliff, Prize Picks, and Stake, which has been endorsed by many popular streamers and celebrities such as Drake, Adin Ross, and 21 Savage.
With becoming a less frowned upon activity, with no surprise, it is a very popular activity among highschoolers. According to the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High Risk Behaviors, 60 to 80% of high schoolers say they have gambled for money in the past year. While some may say this is a very concerning and unhealthy statistic, it is better to hear directly from the subject of the statistics.
In a recent interview with an anonymous high school senior in the Hillsborough county area, he can be stated as saying, “I love gambling because it’s a great way to connect with friends, make money, and is a very entertaining activity” This response is not surprising from a young adult that might not understand the implications of the downsides of gambling. This is the problem of starting to gamble at such a young age. It is very easy to build an addiction for adolescents as their minds are not yet developed.
There are implications to prevent teens and underage people from using gambling apps and websites, however, they are generally pretty easy to get by. Many apps use age limits and have extensive methods of certifying the user’s identity to make sure they are of legal age.
Anonymous highschooler says, “Honestly, it’s pretty easy you just need the ID of someone older and you can log into any of the apps like Draft Kings or Prize Picks. Also, there are plenty of home poker games me and my friends play together.”
Unsurprisingly, a high schooler will find ways to beat the system and get into things they aren’t supposed to. Many people are calling for stricter enforcement of preventing teen gambling and keeping young minds safe. Gambling continues to be a rising economy and looks to continue to expand in years to come.