A freshly-published study from GambleAware exposes a disturbing correlation between gambling harms in adulthood and premature exposure to gambling, often through known individuals who engaged in the act during their childhood.
The study outlines that among adults enduring some form of harm from gambling, 64% had an acquaintance during their childhood who was involved in gambling. Adding to the distressing figures, the study disclosed that a third of the adults experiencing gambling harms aren’t seeking help, with societal stigma posing a formidable obstacle.
Moreover, a striking 87% of individuals grappling with considerable gambling harms find themselves relapsing, even in the face of determined attempts to quit.
Surveying 18,000 adults, the study revealed early exposure to gambling, with 6% witnessing the activity before reaching 5 years of age, while 28% were exposed between the ages of 6 and 11. Remarkably, 22% had engaged in gambling before 18 years, with 16% starting between 12 and 17.
The respondents expressed worries about the pervasiveness of gambling advertising on television and mobile apps, deeming it challenging to protect children from exposure due to its incessant presence.
GambleAware’s CEO, Zoë Osmond, expressed her concerns regarding the widespread acceptance of gambling and its possible connection to early exposure and later life harm. She also emphasized the need to dismantle the associated stigma, encouraging open discussions about gambling to facilitate help-seeking behavior.
Further, Kate Gosschalk, Research Manager at YouGov, voiced her satisfaction with the findings of the fourth annual treatment and support survey, with this year’s research delving into new territories like early gambling exposure and its impact on young minds.