Parents' Ultimate Guide to Online Gambling

Gambling and gambling-like experiences are a regular part of many kids' online lives, showing up in online gaming, video games, and sports betting, as well as traditional forms of gambling, like betting with friends or playing the lottery, and ads related to all of the above.

Our recent research focused on boys. And for many boys, gambling is about having fun, fitting in, and participating in a little friendly competition with friends, which aligns with what we know about boys' development. However, we found that, as some boys get older, their focus sometimes shifts more to winning money or making riskier bets. This doesn't always indicate a serious problem, but in this guide we share some red flags to watch out for and tips to support kids by encouraging healthy habits.

Gambling-like features in games:

• Many gambling-like elements are built into games that kids are already playing. For example, kids can use real money to buy random, chance-based rewards (e.g., loot boxes, gacha items) or trade using in-game items they've bought, like skins, which are downloadable or unlockable items that change the way a character, weapon, or vehicle looks. Video gaming may normalize chance-based spending or create an exciting incentive around winning.
   
• Gambling apps and websites are designed to feel like familiar games to kids, blurring the line between playing and paying. Common design tricks, like streaks and rewards, are meant to maximize spending and engagement.

Influence and ads:

• Kids come across gambling content in digital spaces they already use. They can be introduced to gambling early on through content and advertisements shown in their social media feeds, within games, or shared by peers. Nearly half of boys who gamble say they have seen gambling videos or streams online, and most did not seek them out. 
   
• Boys who watch gambling content tend to spend more and gamble more often, and their motivations also look different. They're more likely to mention wanting to win money or copying creators they follow. Advertising, creator content, live sports, and peers can also make betting feel commonplace or socially approved. 

Shifting motivation: 

• When motivation shifts from fun or community to financial gain, this may signal when behaviors start to more closely match the gambling risk pathways seen in older teens and young adults.
   
• While 38% of boys say that fun and excitement are the reason they start gambling, others mention motivations like winning money (28%) and because it's part of the games they like to play (28%). 

Overspending: 

• Note suspicious spending habits, through in-app purchases or other traditional types of bets.

Peer and family factors: 

• Boys are much more likely to gamble if their peers or family members are involved, which can make gambling feel acceptable and common. For boys whose friends mostly or all gamble, 84% report gambling themselves. One-third of boys have gambled with family members, most commonly by playing lottery tickets or scratch-off games (25%).

Many online games and video game systems offer some parental controls to help minimize exposure to gambling-related elements. Depending on your child's age, there are also general parental controls you can use to limit some of the risks. For more information on how to set parental controls on different platforms, check out our Parental Control Guides.

• Time limits: For younger kids, you can set general time limits on apps or devices to limit how often they see gambling-related material or ads. Support digital well-being for kids of all ages by encouraging healthy tech habits like taking a break. When we explain how games are designed to keep us coming back, we can also reassure our kids that it's OK to break a streak or miss out on a prize.
   

• Site-specific blocking: Using your browser settings, you can also block gambling websites if there are specific sites you don't want your young kids to see. You can also restrict app downloads in the app store on your child's device. If you'd like even more insight, you can set up notifications for attempted visits to blocked sites or unusual spending.
   

• In-app purchases: Within your kid's game system or apps, you can sometimes block or require parental approval for in-app purchases. Note: Non-gaming apps, like social media platforms, can also offer in-app purchases, and some allow controls that limit this access. 
   

• Content filters: You can also block sensitive categories of content, including gambling (on Instagram, for example), in your child's content preferences. 
   

• Ads: Many apps also have the ability to block advertising to young viewers, or limit specific categories like gambling, which can prevent them from seeing gambling-related ads.
   

• Spending: You can limit or require approval for credit cards, PayPal, or in-game purchases that could be used for betting, chance-based rewards, or skins.
   

• Gaming platform settings: Some consoles (like PlayStation or Xbox) allow you to restrict games with gambling features and have more control of your kid's online interactions.

Even though some parental controls can limit exposure to gambling, there are still gaps:

• Content filtering on games, consoles, or websites can miss content and may not catch everything. 
• Kids can still be exposed to gambling-related ads and content outside of gaming, including on TV, YouTube, or other spaces.

What can you do to support your child with healthy habits when it comes to online-related gambling?

• Start conversations about risk, spending, and peer influence early, and keep them going. Don't wait until there's an issue to have discussions and set boundaries, since children are already finding gambling-like features in games. Frame early conversations around decision-making, chance, and money, rather than gambling itself. 
   
• Know that gambling comes in many different forms. Many parents don't realize that games, fantasy leagues, and brackets can introduce gambling at a young age.
   
• Learn how your child's games work, including in-app currency and purchasing features. Ask your kid to explain how they spend money in games or with friends, and listen for patterns: Are they chasing rare items? Betting with peers? Spending more than planned? Watch for risky patterns like chasing rare items or overspending.
   
• Promote agency over algorithms. Teach your child about the way games work, and the specific design tricks that keep them coming back (like streaks and rewards), so they learn that some games are designed to form habits: behaviors we repeat without even thinking about them. To boost critical thinking, ask questions like: "Have you ever bought a loot box or mystery items in a game? What did you get?" Use news stories or sporting events as starting points, and revisit the topic regularly.
   
• Set clear rules and monitor access. Many kids lack clear family rules about gambling or game spending, especially as they get older. Set simple, consistent limits and consider requiring permission for real-money spending.
   
• Pay attention to peer influence. Boys with friends who gamble are more likely to gamble themselves. Get to know your son's peers and the activities they participate in together. If his friends gamble, don't forbid the friendship—instead, help him think critically and keep communication open for if he's ever in doubt.
   
• Watch for warning signs. Most boys gamble casually without experiencing harm, but some show warning signs like overspending, using credit cards without permission, or feeling regret. If your son has lost a significant amount of money, take it seriously—talk with him about the risks, and consider seeking help from a professional counselor.

What types of online games have in-app purchases? 

• In-app purchases can be found in many popular online games and social media platforms, including sports games, fantasy games, action games, and mobile phone games.

What are some examples of in-app purchases? 

• In-app purchases in kids' games often include virtual currency (gems, coins, Robux), character skins/costumes, "loot boxes" (randomized prize chests), extra lives, power-ups, and unlocking new levels or expansions. These, often marketed in "free to play" or "freemium" games, range from a few dollars to much higher amounts.