Addiction among young people: the unexpected role of sport
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27 Apr 2026 •
Reading time: 3 minutes
A recent study conducted in Belgium involving more than 11,000 young people aged 12 to 24 shows that sports betting is not an isolated behaviour, but is often part of a wider pattern of risky behaviour and addiction.
A practice that never stands alone
A study led by Professor Bram Constandt and published in April 2026 in Addiction Research & Theory shows that sports betting is rarely an isolated practice. The findings indicate that young people who bet on sport are significantly more likely to engage in other risky behaviours. These include participating in lottery games, and the consumption of alcohol, tobacco or psychedelic substances. This correlation suggests the existence of a common ground where different forms of addiction reinforce one another.
One aspect is particularly striking: the lottery appears to be a potential gateway to sports betting. In other words, a practice perceived as commonplace or harmless could, in the long run, lead to riskier behaviour.
Sport: an unexpected risk factor
Sport is often portrayed as a bulwark against negative influences. However, this study significantly qualifies that view. It reveals that certain sports are associated with a higher likelihood of young people engaging in sports betting. Football, cycling and combat sports stand out in particular. Young people involved in these activities are more likely to have placed a bet in the past year.
The growing integration of gambling into the sporting world offers food for thought. Competitions, performances and results are becoming subjects of speculation, gradually transforming the relationship with sport. The sports ground, once a place of learning and socialisation, is also becoming a space where young people are exposed to betting. Discussions among peers, the ubiquity of results and statistics, and the increased focus on performance can fuel this dynamic.
Gambling legislation sets a minimum age to protect the youngest members of society. However, this study shows that this measure alone is not sufficient. The data indicate that sports betting increases with age and is significantly more common among boys. However, compliance with the legal age limit is not a decisive deterrent. Many young people report having placed bets, whether or not they are permitted to do so.
Understanding the mechanisms to take better action
One of the key contributions of this research lies in its holistic approach. Rather than treating sports betting in isolation, it situates it within a broader context of interconnected behaviours.
Through in-depth statistical analysis, the researchers have shown that nearly 33% of variations in betting behaviour can be explained by factors such as age, gender, substance use and participation in sport. Sports betting is not a matter of chance, but rather forms part of identifiable social and behavioural patterns.
Schools and sports clubs: underestimated allies
Schools and sports clubs appear to be ideal settings for carrying out prevention initiatives. Far from being merely high-risk environments, they can become powerful tools for raising awareness and providing support.
This dual dimension is essential. It enables the development of integrated interventions that take into account the real-life context of young people. Rather than stigmatising, the aim is to inform, engage in dialogue and foster a critical mindset towards gambling.
Beyond the figures, this study highlights a major public health issue. Sports betting among young people can no longer be regarded as a marginal phenomenon. It forms part of an ecosystem where sporting activities, substance use and risky behaviour intersect. To ignore these interactions would be to underestimate the scale of the problem.