Gambling: 1 in 2 parents warn their children about the risks
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26 Oct 2026 •
Reading time: 2 minutes
In the United States, 51% of parents with children aged 6 to 17 have already discussed the dangers of gambling with them. A survey conducted in October 2026 also reveals that 64% of parents with underage children are concerned that their children may start gambling before reaching the legal age.
Parents concerned about underage gambling
Gambling is raising concerns among American families. According to a survey commissioned by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), nearly two-thirds of parents with underage children worry that their children may engage in gambling activities before they are legally allowed to do so.
For many parents, discussing gambling with their children remains a difficult subject to address. However, family-based prevention is one of the approaches highlighted to help limit young people’s exposure to gambling.
The survey notably reveals that 90% of parents with children under 18 believe that appropriate resources would make these conversations easier.
51% of parents have already started the conversation
Despite these concerns, a significant proportion of American families have already taken steps to educate their children about gambling risks.
According to the survey results, 51% of respondents with children aged 6 to 17 say they have discussed the risks associated with gambling with them. Another 40% have not yet had this conversation but intend to do so. Only 9% say they do not plan to discuss the subject with their children.
The survey was conducted online by The Harris Poll from October 6 to 8, 2026, among 2,020 American adults. The findings concerning family discussions are based specifically on responses from 466 parents with children aged 6 to 17.
What warning signs should families look out for?
One of the main challenges parents face is identifying problematic gambling behaviour.
According to the NCPG, families are particularly interested in receiving more information about the warning signs that may indicate concerning gambling habits.
Two behaviours are specifically highlighted: hiding gambling activities and attempting to recover lost money by continuing to gamble.
Parents also want to better understand the risks young people face and receive guidance on the most appropriate time to start discussing gambling with their children.
Parental influence goes beyond conversations
Raising awareness does not depend solely on conversations at home. A study published by the Dutch Trimbos Institute also highlights links between teenagers’ social environments and their gambling behaviour.
Researchers examined several factors, including peer pressure, parental behaviour and school engagement.
Their findings indicate that teenagers whose parents generally know where they are report online gambling less frequently than those who receive less consistent parental supervision.
Relationships with teachers also appear to play an important role. Positive interactions between students and teachers are associated with lower levels of gambling activity.