A recent study on the usage of drugs, alcohol, gambling, and social media by young people in Belgium shows both advancements and continued difficulties. The study’s target population for the 2022–2023 timeframe is people under the age of 21. Interestingly, it shows a considerable long-term decline in youth gambling, even in spite of ongoing worries about underage involvement.
According to the survey, the average youth scratchcard use fell to 9.7% in 2022–2023—the lowest percentage ever noted. The percentage of young individuals playing poker was barely 2.3%, while the percentage of lottery players reached an all-time low of 5.3%. Nonetheless, there was little change in the percentage of respondents who acknowledged to betting on sports in 2023—12.4% compared to 12.5% the year before. Participation in casino games decreased little from 5.5% to 5.3%.
Despite these declining numbers, underage gambling remains an area of concern. The report uncovered confusion among youth regarding the legal gambling age, with only 77.6% aware that 18 is the minimum age for scratchcards. On September 1, Belgium raised the legal gambling age to 21 for all forms of gambling except the national lottery. However, BAGO, the association of private gambling operators in Belgium, criticized this discrepancy, calling for equal age restrictions across all gambling products. “We find it illogical that the increase in the minimum age to 21 years does not apply to all National Lottery products and therefore requests equal protection for young people,” BAGO stated.
Alarmingly, 10.1% of children aged 12-14 reported playing scratchcards in the past year, exceeding participation rates among older groups (15-16 and 17-18). This figure jumped to 27.9% when considering those who had ever played a scratchcard, highlighting the pressing issue of underage gambling in Belgium.
Gender Disparities in Youth Gambling
The research included specifics on how young males and females differ in their gambling habits. In general, men were more likely than women to engage in most forms of gambling, such as poker, sports betting, lotteries, and casino games. But when it came to scratchcard participation, women outnumbered men by a small margin (9.8% of young women versus 9.6% of young men). For both sexes, scratch cards continue to be the most widely used type of gambling.
Long-term data also showed that 29.0% of young females in Belgium have played scratchcards at some point, compared to 25.4% of young males. Sports betting was notably more popular among males, with 16.6% having placed a bet compared to 8.0% of females.
Despite the overall decline in youth gambling rates, the findings emphasize the need for stricter measures to protect young people. BAGO has urged for consistent age regulations across all gambling activities, arguing that prevention, control, and equal treatment are key to safeguarding the next generation. As the data suggests, while fewer young people are engaging in gambling, underage participation remains a significant challenge that requires continued attention and intervention.
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