In a recent survey conducted by the Spanish Observatory on Drugs and Addictions, concerning trends regarding underage gambling have prompted the Spanish Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption, and the 2030 Agenda to advocate for stronger preventative measures. The survey, named ESTUDES, targeted secondary school students aged 14 to 18, uncovering a gap in education about the risks associated with gambling compared to other issues like technology misuse and drug use.
The Spanish gambling regulator, the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), analyzed the survey data and highlighted critical risks, notably the lack of specific training aimed at preventing problematic gambling behaviors among minors. According to the survey, only 48.4 percent of students reported receiving information about gambling risks, a stark contrast to the 74 percent who received insights into the misuse of new technologies and the 72.3 percent educated about legal drug use.
Alarmingly, 19.8 percent of the surveyed students admitted to gambling for money, with a preference for physical gambling venues over online platforms (16.6 percent versus 9 percent). The data also revealed that gambling activities increase with age, with 13 percent of 14-year-olds reporting gambling for money in person, a figure that rises to 19.5 percent by the age of 17. This trend is more pronounced among boys, with 26.8 percent of them engaging in gambling compared to 12.6 percent of girls.
The survey raised the issue of early initiation into gambling, revealing that the average starting age is just under 14 years old. While the frequency of gambling among young people appears limited, with two-thirds gambling only once a year and most not spending more than six euros per day, the ministry warns of the underlying risks. Specifically, 3.7 percent of respondents exhibited signs of problem gambling, with male students being three times more likely than their female counterparts to develop such issues. The data suggest that certain games, such as betting, slots, and card games, pose a higher risk than lotteries and bingo.
In light of these findings, the ministry has emphasized the urgent need to implement additional measures to combat the early onset and progression of problematic gambling in minors. They propose greater educational efforts and stricter regulatory measures to safeguard young people from gambling-related harm.
Complementing these efforts, the DGOJ has announced progress in developing a sophisticated real-time surveillance system for online gambling. This system, driven by advanced data analysis and machine learning, is aimed at identifying risky or problematic behavior patterns among gamblers. By integrating over 60 behavioral and transactional indicators, the system seeks to facilitate early detection and personalized intervention strategies by operators.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, is a direct outcome of the 2023 Royal Decree on Safer Gambling Environments. This decree mandated the DGOJ to create tools that effectively mitigate gambling-related harms. The system will utilize the machine learning algorithm XGBoost to evaluate variables such as session frequency, betting behavior post-wins or losses, deposit and withdrawal patterns, and preferences for live betting—a form of gambling deemed particularly high-risk due to its rapid pace and impulsive nature.
This development represents a significant step forward in the regulation of online gambling in Spain, as the country seeks to balance the economic benefits of the gambling industry with the social responsibility to protect vulnerable groups, particularly minors.
However, some industry stakeholders argue that while regulatory measures are necessary, they must be carefully calibrated to avoid stifling the industry. The economic impact of gambling, which contributes significantly to employment and tax revenues, should not be underestimated. A regulatory framework that is too stringent could potentially drive consumers to unregulated, illegal gambling platforms, which pose even greater risks.
Moreover, there is a call for a more holistic approach that involves not just regulatory actions but also collaboration with educational institutions and community organizations to address the root causes of underage gambling. Education about responsible gambling should be part of broader efforts to equip young people with the skills to make informed decisions.
As Spain moves forward with implementing these measures, the challenge will be to ensure that the regulatory approach remains balanced and effective in reducing gambling-related harms without unintended negative consequences on the industry. The focus must remain on protecting minors while promoting a healthy, sustainable gambling environment that aligns with Spain’s social and economic goals.
