Key points:
- The Council of Europe is launching a project to help countries address online gambling and gaming risks among young people
- Research links excessive gambling and gaming to mental and physical health issues, particularly among adolescents
- Experts emphasise the need for better data transparency, policy development and awareness campaigns to address gambling-related harms
The Council of Europe has initiated a new project addressing the growing concerns surrounding online gambling and gaming among young people, launching the initiative at a two-day conference in Rome.
The project aims to develop policy recommendations and raise awareness about addiction risks among youth.
According to research presented at the conference, gambling disorders could affect up to 26.4% of adolescents engaging in online gambling platforms and 16.3% of those participating in sports betting.
The integration of gambling-like features into video games, such as ‘loot boxes,’ has further complicated the issue.
Good to know: The project comes as the global gaming industry is projected to reach $300bn in revenue by 2028, double its 2019 figure
Dr. Orsolya Kiraly from Budapest's Eotvos Lorand University highlighted that while only a minority of adolescents experience addiction-like symptoms, the consequences can be severe, including family conflicts, sleep disturbances and poor physical health.
Experts at the conference also addressed the challenge of stigma, with Simona Pichini from Italy's National Health Institute noting a marked difference in how adults and young people perceive gambling problems, with youth less likely to recognise or seek help for gambling-related issues.
