From loot boxes in video games to bets on the outcome of a school football match, gambling is everywhere in society. Ads for online casinos promote the idea that gambling is easy, fun, and exciting, thereby appealing to children like they do to adults.

Online gambling sites use chat and messaging tools to encourage social interactions. This can make online gambling seem like a fun and cool thing to do with friends. Whereas adults are better able to ignore peer pressure, social gambling experiences could be a factor in introducing gambling to vulnerable young people.*

There is a wide variety of gambling games – all of which are appealing in their own right. However, some games are specifically designed to look like games of skill. This is not actually the case: in order to be fair, online gambling games are completely random. This resemblance to games of skill might make games more enticing, but also mislead teenagers to believe they can improve over time.

Ultimately, children and teenagers are interested in online gambling for the same reasons adults are: it’s fun. However, adults are better equipped to deal with the realities of gambling. IROEA members must adhere to industry age limits and ensure that no child is exposed to the dangers of gambling.