Underage gambling is illegal in the United Kingdom, and the Gambling Commission (UKGC) requires every licensed operator, from high-street bookmakers to online casinos, to verify customer ages and operate with policies that actively stop minors from gambling.However, three in ten eleven to seventeen year olds still spend money on some form of gambling (confirmed by the UKGC regulator’s latest survey), so this guide for parents and carers will explain the law, the warning signs and how to talk about the risks and how to limit the gambling content that children see.What is the legal gambling age in the UK?The UKGC sets the minimum legal gambling age in the United Kingdom at 18 (in most cases), which covers betting shops, bingo halls, casinos, race tracks, online gambling and some types of arcade entertainment. The National Lottery joined the list in October 2021, when the minimum age for tickets and scratchcards rose to 18.A few exceptions can still catch parents and guardians out, as society lotteries and football pools remain open to 16-year-olds, whilst Category D machines (which include penny pushers and crane games) have no minimum age at all.This means that a 16-year-old can legally buy a society lottery ticket, but not a £1 National Lottery scratchcard. Knowing there the line sits is the first step, but the next is knowing who has to enforce it.What are operators required to do to prevent underage gambling?Every licensed gambling business in the UK must have policies that prevent underage gambling, and it must monitor whether those policies are actually working. The UKGC’s guidance on preventing underage gambling sets out the basics, but staff should be checking the age of anyone who looks underage (in a physical setting).Operators should also not design gambling products that appeal to children, or reflect youth culture, and adult-only venues should refuse service when an adult arrives at a venue with a child.Online rules are even more stringent, as under social responsibility code 3.2.11, remote operators must verify a customer’s age before that person can deposit funds, try using free-to-play versions of gambling games, or gamble with their own money/use a free bet or bonus.Operators also need to warn players that underage gambling is an offence, and their sites must work with filtering software used by parents or schools.In practice, if your 17-year-old downloads a UKGC-licensed betting app on any of their devices, they shouldn’t be able to deposit a penny or spin on a free demo slot until the operator confirms they’re at least 18.Breaching these codes can lead to a licence review, suspension or revocation, a financial penalty and possible prosecution, so the enforcement is not just a passing, optional rule, it has actual teeth.The UKGC also works with local licensing authorities on test purchasing, and venues that fail have had conditions imposed on them, including Think 21 or Think 25 policies, magnetic door locks, infra-red alerts in adult areas and staff training.Something you need to bear in mind, though, is that compliance checks only guard the front door (whether that’s at an actual venue or the virtual front door). What helps in a big way is knowing how to speak to children about gambling and the potential harms that surround it.Warning signs your child may be gamblingIn the UKGC’s 2025 survey, it was revealed that 7% of young people who gambled said it had caused arguments with family or friends, 5% lied about it and 2% had missed school because of it. Here are the warning signs that you need to look out for (via GambleAware):Secretiveness about online activity: If a child is secretive about their online activity, then you need to pay attention as to why. It could be that they just want privacy, but look for hidden apps, quickly closed screens and vague answers when you ask them about what they’re doing online.Unexplained loss of money: Pocket money, birthday money or savings that disappear with no clear explanation.Borrowing money: If your child is repeatedly asking for “loans” or cash is going missing around the house/from siblings.Mood changes: Check if there are mood changes that could be linked to winning or losing. Mood swings, irritability, anxiety and guilt are all recognised signs of gambling harm, especially highs after a result and a shorter temper after a loss.Withdrawal from family and friends: If your child seems quieter, or distant than usual, or losing interest in other activities, then this could be linked to gambling.Declining school performance: Struggling to concentrate and neglecting responsibilities can show up as slipping grades or missed homework, especially if the pattern seems sudden or repeated in a short space of time.How to talk to your child about gamblingTalking to your child early, before a problem develops, and then coming back to it is a great place to start. The UKGC advises against treating it as a one-off chat, instead look for natural openings: conversations about drugs or alcohol, chance and probability, a gambling advert or a gambling story in the news.Watching sport is one of the easiest ways in, as during a Premier League game, you can ask whether they have spotted the betting ads and whether winning looks ‘easy.’This mirrors one of the UKGC’s own conversation ‘starters,’ and it makes sense because those ads are hard to avoid: 79% of young people recall seeing or hearing gambling promotions, and 49% have said that they see them on social media at least weekly.Keep the conversation non-judgmental. The UKGC recommends creating a safe space where young people can ask questions without feeling judged, being open and honest, and asking yourself whether your own gambling behavior is ‘normalising’ it to them in an unhealthy way.GambleAware suggests starting sentences with “I” rather than “you” so you don’t sound accusatory. The UKGC also highlights the high that comes with winning, getting absorbed in the experience, and peer pressure to gamble socially, so make sure that you discuss this too, again in a non-judgmental way.Then, you should explain where gaming ends and gambling begins. Loot boxes in video games (like Packs in EA FC Ultimate Team) cost real money and give random in-game rewards, and while they aren’t currently classed as gambling, research links them to gambling harm.GambleAware advises that under-18s shouldn’t use them, so ask your child whether features in their favourite game counts as gaming or gambling. That question works better than a lecture, as the child can then draw the line themselves.Parental controls and tools you can useHaving the conversation is what sets the tone, but responsible gambling tools are what protects children when you are not in the room. These are the three tools that cover most family setups:BetBlocker Parental Controls: Tools like gambling blockers include parental control features, which prevent children from accessing gambling websites on shared family devices.BetBlocker is one of the best places to start, as it is a free app from a charity registered in Scotland, doesn’t need a registration to use and it runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS. When I reviewed the site in September 2026, it listed more than 800,700 blocked gambling websites and over 3,100 blocked apps.With BetBlocker Parental Control mode, you can include its list of gambling operator sites, which is updated on a weekly basis. You can also set a password, meaning that you can switch the block off for your own browsing when on a shared computer. Device-Level Content Filters: Most smartphones and tablets have built-in parental controls. Screen Time on Apple devices and Google Family Link on Android allow you to restrict adult websites and approve apps before they’re installed.The major broadband providers in the UK also offer free network-level filters, usually with a gambling category that covers every device on the home Wifi. Licensed operators are required to let filtering software of this kind work on their sites, but VPNs are the blind spot.In UKGC research, with 1,020 11 to 17-year-olds, VPN awareness rose from 61% among 11 and 12-year-olds to 89% among 16 and 17-year old, and 19% of the older group believed their peers would use VPNs to access gambling sites/apps.Limiting Gambling Advertising: The UKGC advises that you cannot remove gambling ads from social media entirely, but you can limit or hide them, as the UKGC publishes step-by-step guidance for X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.This really matters, because 46% of young people see gambling promotions on streaming and video platforms such as Twitch and YouTube every week. Also, of the 16% who follow gambling-related content, 31% have had gambling advertised to them by influencers, creators or streamers.A quick win here is to go through the ad settings with your child and unfollowing betting accounts altogether.Where to get help if you are concerned about a young personGamCare: GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline, which is free and open 24 hours a day on 0808 8020 133 in England and Scotland (callers in Wales can now use a separate line on 0808 2819 265).The helpline advises young people that are affected by their own or someone else’s gambling, and the site also has a specific section for parents who want to access more information and guidance.Ygam: Ygam is a UK charity that works to prevent gaming and gambling harms among young people, by training the adults around them. The charity also runs a Family Hub for parents, plus its CPD-certified training for parents and carers is free.You can take the training online through Microsoft Teams (it takes around 1 and a half to 3 hours) or in person (which takes about 3 and half hours). This training covers in-game purchases, advertising and the behavior changes in children that could signal gambling harm.Ygam’s 2025/26 impact report says that the charity reached around 1.2 million children and young people, and that it has received £3 million from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities for prevention work from 2026 to 2028. Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme: Ygam and GamCare launched this joint programme in 2020 as a four-year initiative delivering education, training and support to young people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.It is funded by Betting and Gaming Council members, and it gives teachers, youth workers and young people workshops and resources.By late 2023, GamCare’s workshops alone had reached 100,000 young people.Where to get further support GamCare runs the free National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, which is open 24 hours a day, with live chat and WhatsApp support available as well on the site and on mobile.GambleAware offers confidential information and a route into local support for anyone (in the UK) who needs it, whether the worry is about your own gambling or someone else’s.GAMSTOP manages online self-exclusion, and it is the first stop if you want to block every UKGC licensed site all in one go.FAQ1. Are gambling ads legal in the UK?Yes, gambling ads are legal in the UK, but they are tightly regulated.Since October 2022, CAP Code rule 16.3.12 has banned gambling ads that are likely to strongly appeal to under-18s. From the 2026/27 season, Premier League football clubs can no longer carry gambling sponsors on the front of matchday shirts (although sleeve deals and pitchside advertising are still allowed).2. What is the impact of gambling on teenagers?Most teenagers who gamble do not develop a problem, but a minority of those do, and the effects spread.The UKGC’s 2025 survey found 1.2% of 11 to 17-year-olds were experiencing problems with their gambling, down slightly from the 1.5% in 2024. Other people’s gambling affects teenagers too, as 29% of young people have watched a family member they live with gamble, and 12% of that group reportedly lost sleep worrying about it.3. How can I stop my child from accessing gambling websites?The best way to stop your child from accessing gambling websites is to use several layers at once.Using a free blocker like BetBlocker, device-level filters and your broadband provider’s gambling filter together help to close off most of the routes to gambling sites and apps. Beyond that, your own habits matter as well, as adults can use self-exclusion tools to restrict their own access and set deposit limits to model responsible gambling behaviour at home.About the authorDaniel SmythDaniel Smyth has seen the online poker, casino, and betting industry from every angle. He previously played poker semi-professionally before working at WPT Magazine as a writer and editor. From there, he transitioned to online gaming where he’s been producing expert content for over 10 years.Follow Daniel on Twitter and LinkedInCommercial content notice: Taking one of the casino offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply.Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chase their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukFind our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.