This document provides guidance for parents on talking to their children aged 11-16 about gambling. It notes that many gambling problems start at this age and parents can play a key role. It recommends that parents put gambling in context by informing children about prevalence rates, model good behaviors themselves, establish general safety measures, open up about their own history, and listen to their children's perspectives. The overall message is that parents do not need to be experts to start a conversation about gambling risks and set clear boundaries.

1. HOW DO I TALK WITH MY KIDS
ABOUT GAMBLING?

2. WHO IS THIS FOR?
This is aimed at parents of 11 - 16 year olds
Better Futures is not aimed at young people
But many of the people we see say their
problems started at this age. Parents can play a
key role in changing their childrens' future.

3. But more 11-16 year olds gamble than...
PARENTS OFTEN DON'T SEE THE PROBLEM
14%
smoke drink do drugs
13% 4% 2%
Gambling Commission Young People and Gambling survey 2018;
prevalence rates in the last week

4. By the age of 13, 2 / 3 children have
gambled at some point already
2016 Gamcare and Mix5 nationwide research

5. OUR DEFINITION OF GAMBLING
Gambling is placing
something of value
on a contest
which is at least partly
determined by chance,
in the expectation of reward
Gambling isn't always with money!

6. WHY DO THEY DO IT?
Fun To make money
100
75
50
25
0
Because it is fun! 84% of
those who gamble say
they do it because it is fun,
and only 18% think they
can make money (with
adults it is the other way
around!)
2016 Gamcare and Mix5 nationwide research

7. Put gambling into context
Model good behaviours yourself
Establish general safety measures
Open up about your history
Listen to their perspectives
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?

8. PUT GAMBLING INTO CONTEXT
Gambling Commission Young People and Gambling report 2018;
Gambling Commission Gambling Participation in 2017 behaviour awareness and attitudes
survey
Tell them that a third of their peers gamble
regularly; and that just under half of adults
gamble regularly in the UK
That is, many people do not gamble much,
especially at their age
Inform them that 7 in 10 people think gambling
is dangerous to family life, and ask them why?

9. MODEL GOOD BEHAVIOURS YOURSELF
Have a clear rationale
about what you choose
to gamble on and when
Use the less harmful
products yourself, or even
stop gambling
Explain your stance to
your kids
Online casino
Tombola or raffle
Lottery tickets
Football pools
Casino
Slot machines
Other betting online
LESSMORE
Other betting in person
Lottery scratchcards
Horses / dogs at track
POTENTIAL
HARM

10. ESTABLISH GENERAL SAFETY MEASURES
Use all computers, tablets, and
phones in family areas
Set up internet filters (usually your
service provider like BT has levels of
protection you can put in place)
Agree some ground rules with them
about gambling
Encourage good risk-taking and get
them to lead family adventures

11. OPEN UP ABOUT YOUR HISTORY
If you have experiences of harmful
gambling in your own past, share
this with them
Tell them stories of family members
or friends who got addicted to
gambling or something else.
Do it with empathy, rather than
making it a scare story

12. LISTEN TO THEIR PERSPECTIVES
Hook into their interests, e.g. video
gaming and "loot boxes"
Use opportunities like TV adverts as
they come along and ask their views
even if you don't agree
Very short but frequent chats will be
more effective than lectures
Tell them you'll always be willing to
speak more

13. If your kids need help, you could point them to
www.bigdeal.org.uk
FINAL THOUGHTS
You don't have to be an expert to start a
conversation
Encourage them to talk to friends and family
even if they won't talk to you