Family, Motivation, and Harm: A Study of UK Adolescent Gamblers

Hyungseo Kim (University of Stirling), Till Stowasser (University of Stirling), Philip Newall (University of Bristol)

ABSTRACT
This study investigates the prevention paradox in adolescent gambling, focusing on family care,
individual motivations, and gambling behaviors. Analyzing data from 6,012 participants in the UK’s
Youth Gambling survey, we find that nearly half of gambling harms arise from low-risk gambling
activities like arcade machines and gambling with family. Adolescents without caring adults face higher
harms from unregulated gambling, while those motivated by entertainment or boredom experience
significant harms across all gambling types. Our findings underscore the importance of family dynamics
and personal motivations in crafting effective prevention strategies to reduce youth gambling-related
harms.

Keywords: Problem gambling, public health, gambling harm, choice, adolescents