Parents, Children and Gambling: Loot Boxes, Social Casinos and Apps

Children now meet gambling-style features in places that look nothing like a casino: video games, phone apps and social media. This guide helps parents and carers in the UK, US, Ireland, Canada and Australia understand the risks, the rules and the practical steps.

Real-money gambling is for adults only. Nothing here is meant to encourage anyone under the legal age to gamble.

What counts as gambling and what does not

Real-money gambling means staking money on an uncertain outcome in the hope of winning more. Many products children use are not legally gambling but share features with it, such as chance, rewards and a pull to keep going. The main ones are:

• Loot boxes. Paid packs in games where the buyer does not know in advance what they will get. See loot boxes explained for the debate.
• Social casino apps. Free-to-play slot and card games that use virtual chips. They do not pay out cash, but they copy the look and feel of real casino games.
• Skin and item trading. Some websites let players stake game items on chance outcomes. These can operate outside the law, so treat them with caution.
• Arcade and fairground machines. Penny pushers and claw machines are legally open to young people in Britain, even though they use chance and money.
• Betting between friends. Informal bets and card games for money are common and unregulated.

What the evidence says about young people

Britain publishes annual research on this. The Gambling Commission’s 2025 Young People and Gambling report surveyed 3,666 pupils aged 11 to 17 in schools in England, Scotland and Wales. It found that 49% had experienced gambling in the past 12 months and 30% had spent their own money on it. Arcade gaming machines, such as penny pushers and claw machines, were the most common activity, at 21% for spending their own money.

The survey classed 1.2% as having a gambling problem, meaning a score of 4 or more on a youth-adapted screen (DSM-IV-MR-J). That is a screening result, not a diagnosis, and it still represents a meaningful number of young people. These are Great Britain figures from one survey, based on what pupils chose to report, so treat them as a guide. They do show that early experience is usually informal and legal rather than a visit to a betting site.

Loot boxes and the law

Rules differ widely. The UK Gambling Commission has said that loot boxes generally fall outside the legal definition of gambling where items cannot be cashed out, while treating the risk to children as serious. In Australia, since 22 September 2024, games with paid chance-based purchases such as loot boxes must carry at least an M rating, which is a “not recommended for children under 15” advisory. Games with simulated gambling must carry at least an R18+ rating, which is a legal restriction. These rules apply to games classified from that date, so older games are not automatically reclassified. In North America, the ESRB adds an “In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)” label to games with randomised paid items.

Ratings and labels help only when parents check them, and many games can still be downloaded from the child’s own device.

Practical steps for parents

• Lock down payments. Remove saved cards from phones, tablets, consoles and app stores, and require a password or approval for every purchase.
• Use platform controls. Most consoles, phones and app stores let a parent set age limits, spending caps and purchase approval.
• Check what the game does. Look at the rating, read the shop screens, and find out whether items are bought for chance outcomes.
• Be careful with your own devices. Do not leave gambling apps signed in, and keep your own betting accounts password protected.
• Block gambling sites. Blocking software and family filters can stop gambling sites on home devices. See blocking tools explained.
• Watch ads and influencers. Casino-style content on social media is aimed at adults, but children still see it.

Talking to teenagers

Start with curiosity, not a lecture. Ask what they play and what they have seen friends do. Explain in plain terms that games and bets are designed so that the operator wins over time, and that near misses and bonus sounds are built to keep people playing. Make it clear that you would rather hear about a mistake than have it hidden. Warning signs include secrecy about money, missing cash, sudden interest in betting, borrowing from friends and strong mood swings around games. If you are worried, speak to a school, a doctor or a free helpline.

Rules by country

The age limits guide covers product differences in more depth.

• United Kingdom: The minimum age for gambling is 18, including the National Lottery. Some arcade machines are legal for young people. Support is available on 0808 8020 133 (GamCare helpline).
• United States: Gambling is regulated state by state. Casino and sports betting ages are mostly 21, with some states or products set at 18. Social and sweepstakes casinos are a separate grey area, covered in sweepstakes casinos explained. The national helpline is 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738); the older 1-800-522-4700 remains active.
• Ireland: The minimum age is 18, and the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland is rolling out licensing. Ask your GP or the HSE about help for a young person.
• Canada: The legal age is 19 in most provinces and 18 in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec. Each province runs its own help services.
• Australia: The legal age is generally 18. Online casino games and online pokies are prohibited, and the new game-rating rules apply to loot boxes and simulated gambling. Gambling Help Online runs on 1800 858 858.

The bottom line

Children can meet gambling-like features long before they reach the legal age, mostly through games, apps and informal betting. The strongest protections are simple: control payments, use platform settings, understand what games sell and keep the conversation open. If you are worried about a young person’s gambling, free confidential help is available.

Sources

• Young People and Gambling 2025 (gamblingcommission.gov.uk)
• New classifications for gambling-like content in video games (classification.gov.au)
• Gambling Commission advice on loot boxes (gamblingcommission.gov.uk)
• In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items) notice (esrb.org)

18+ only (21 in most US states, 19 in most Canadian provinces for casino and betting). Gambling can be addictive. Free, confidential help is available: Great Britain: England and Scotland 0808 8020 133, Wales 0808 2819 265 (free, 24 hours), and GAMSTOP (gamstop.co.uk); US: National Problem Gambling Helpline 1-800-MY-RESET (the older 1-800-522-4700 also works); Australia: Gambling Help Online 1800 858 858 and BetStop (betstop.gov.au); Ontario, Canada: ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600; Ireland: speak to your GP or the HSE. Never gamble money you need for living costs.