Protect kids from online gambling

The proliferation of online gambling platforms, including sports betting apps and prediction markets, poses a growing threat to children and teenagers, according to a report. This trend follows two decades after the introduction of casinos in Pennsylvania, which initially drew in older residents.

Recent findings indicate a significant engagement among minors, with over a third of boys between the ages of 11 and 17 reporting gambling activities in the past year. Alarmingly, children as young as 11 have reportedly developed addictions to online gambling applications and prediction markets. This highlights a shift in the gambling industry's focus towards younger demographics.

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more than a third of boys between the ages of 11 and 17 admitted to gambling in the past year.

The Philadelphia media market, encompassing parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, stands out as the nation's leader in online gambling. In 2024, revenues from internet gambling and sports wagering in these areas alone surpassed $6 billion, a substantial increase from approximately $3.6 billion in 2021. This surge in revenue is seen not as a positive economic indicator, but as a sign of increased financial harm to residents, particularly vulnerable youth.

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Kids as young as 11 have become addicted to online gambling apps and prediction markets