Common Sense Media Releases New Research on Adolescent Boys' Gambling Habits

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 29, 2026—Ahead of the Super Bowl, Common Sense Media today released a new research report on boys and gambling. "Betting on Boys: Understanding Gambling Among Adolescent Boys" reveals that video games, social media algorithms, and peers are closely associated with boys' gambling habits.

The report, which surveyed more than 1,000 adolescent boys age 11 to 17 across the United States, reveals that gambling is a common behavior among adolescent boys. Thirty-six percent of boys gambled in the last year, with that number varying from nearly a third of 11-year-olds to nearly half of 17-year-olds.

"Boys are gambling from a very early age," said Common Sense Media Founder and CEO James P. Steyer. "Through the games they play, the social media platforms they use every day, and their friends, gambling has become a fact of many boys' day-to-day lives—and often in ways parents may not recognize. Our research shows that we are at a pivotal moment for boys' well-being and their futures. Without safeguards and support, many boys may be forming risky relationships with gambling before they fully understand the consequences. All of us—parents, educators, industry, and policymakers—must treat this issue with the urgency it demands."

The research suggests that digital environments, from games that incorporate chance-based systems to algorithmic feeds that surface gambling to boys, can expose boys to gambling long before they seek it out. Because adolescence is a period of heightened sensitivity to rewards and peer influences, these exposures warrant attention from parents, educators, and policymakers. Common Sense Media recommends that parents have honest, ongoing conversations with their sons about gambling early in adolescence and revisit them as children grow. To further protect their sons from forming gambling habits, parents can monitor their social media feeds and set clear rules about online spending.

The report's other key findings include:

• Online gaming is the most common context in which boys encounter gambling-like systems, with nearly one in four boys participating in game-based activities that mimic gambling. Most boys who engage in gaming-related gambling regularly spend real money.
• Nearly one in eight boys bet on sports.
• Nearly one in eight boys participate in traditional gambling (e.g., card games), with 14- to 17-year-olds participating significantly more often than 11- to 13-year-olds.
• Six in 10 boys see gambling ads on YouTube and social media, though most say ads don't prompt them to gamble.
• Gambling is far more common among boys whose friends gamble. Among boys with friends who gamble, over 8 in 10 gamble themselves, compared to under 2 in 10 boys whose friends don't gamble.
• More than one in four boys who gamble, particularly frequent gamblers and those with friends who gamble, report stress or conflict, though most boys deny serious harm.
• One-third of boys have gambled with family members.

Much of boys' exposure to gambling in digital spaces appears to come through algorithmic recommendations. Nearly half of adolescent boys who gamble see online material that promotes gambling, most of which is delivered through algorithmic recommendations. Boys who view this material tend to spend more money on gambling than those who do not. While boys who gamble spend an average of $54 annually, this figure hides a stark divide between higher-loss and lower-loss gamblers. Higher-loss gamblers show different patterns of motivation, spending, and engagement, including using their parents' credit cards without permission.

Read the full report here.

About Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive. Our ratings, research, and resources reach more than 150 million users worldwide and 1.4 million educators every year. Learn more at commonsense.org.

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