The latest European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs (ESPAD) has uncovered a troubling trend in youth behaviour. According to its findings, 23% of European students aged 15–16 participated in gambling activities during the past year, ranging from slot machines and sports betting to lotteries and online gaming.
The survey, which covered 37 countries and over 113,000 participants, found that Italy (45%), Iceland (41%), and Greece (36%) recorded the highest levels of gambling participation among adolescents. Meanwhile, Georgia, Sweden, and Finland showed the lowest figures, indicating stark contrasts across Europe.
Notably, 14% of teenagers engaged in online gambling, with Iceland (31%) and Greece (26%) reporting the highest rates. Boys were generally more likely to gamble than girls, though the gap has narrowed in several regions due to changing digital trends.
Researchers also found that 22% of students who gambled displayed signs of excessive gambling, while 8.9% showed symptoms of problem gambling. These statistics underline the growing complexity of adolescent risk behaviour in the digital era.
Although the ESPAD study observed declines in alcohol, tobacco, and drug use among youth, it simultaneously reported a rise in non-substance-based addictions including gambling and excessive social media use.
Public health experts and regulators are calling for stronger education programs, enhanced parental awareness, and stricter monitoring of underage access to gambling platforms. The findings highlight an urgent need for coordinated European strategies to protect minors from emerging digital risks.
