Scratchcards and arcades are the most common form of gambling amongst 83% of young people who reported engaging in some type of gambling in their lives, according to our research with youthwork charity Fast Forward.

The report combines findings from two national surveys of over 600, 11 to 25-year-olds and has revealed that gambling and gaming are a common part of young people’s lives, with many experiencing harmful impacts and calling for better, stigma-free support.

Half of young people said gambling was easy to access and 86% reported seeing other young people gamble at least occasionally. Gaming levels were extremely high, with nearly all (99%) respondents engaging in at least one type of game and most playing multiple types. Many reported using in-game currencies (63%) or loot boxes (39%), with 65% saying these features were harmful or very harmful.

Young people identified multiple ways gambling and gaming had impacted them, most commonly through wasted time, effects on school or work, mental health, socialising and difficulty stopping. Half had seen gambling – and more than four in five young people had seen gaming - negatively affect someone else.

Young people indicated a strong preference for in-person support alongside family, school and peer support. Over a third said gambling help should be anonymous, with many emphasising the value of support from those with lived experience and the importance of stigma-free settings.

Together, the findings show that gambling and gaming harms are affecting young people in varied and often hidden ways. This research highlights the need for early intervention, better awareness of risks and accessible support that reflects what young people say they need.

Fast Forward CEO Allie Cherry-Byrnes said:

We are delighted to publish the findings of these two recent surveys caried out in partnership with Young Scot.
We are concerned at the number of young people reporting that they had taken part in at least one type of gambling activity, and that in terms of gaming and engaging with game mechanics, that 63% of respondents have used in-game currencies and 39% engaged with loot boxes in their gaming.
The findings have provided us with invaluable insights into the views of Scotland’s young people’s on gambling and gaming. These insights will allow both Fast Forward and Young Scot to inform and develop our early intervention and prevention work to raise awareness and understanding of gambling and gaming and related harms.

Read the report