Youth Gambling Participation and Risks Increase in North Carolina and US

Recent data from North Carolina and national studies indicate that youth gambling participation is rising, with a notable portion of young people experiencing gambling-related problems.

In 2022, among North Carolina middle and high school students who took part in the Stacked Deck prevention program, internet gambling participation increased slightly from 18.4% to 19.1%. During the same period, participation in games of skill among these students declined from 29% to 26.3%, and microtransactions fell from 29.3% to 27.3%.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services stated that as of March 2024, approximately 10% of youth in the state have issues related to gambling. This figure highlights ongoing concerns about the impact of gambling on younger populations.

Prior to the legalization of sports wagering statewide in North Carolina, an East Carolina University study found that about 10% of undergraduate college students reported gambling on sports. The study also indicated higher participation among student-athletes at 16.5%, compared to 8.8% among non-athletes.

What the numbers show

• Internet gambling among NC students in a prevention program rose from 18.4% to 19.1% in 2022
• National sports betting volume increased from $93.2 billion in 2022 to $121.1 billion in 2023
• 67% of U.S. college students living on campus reported betting using online apps

Nationally, the total amount wagered on sports betting climbed from $93.2 billion in 2022 to $121.1 billion in 2023, with online bets making up 94% of the total in 2023. This growth in online gambling platforms has provided easier access for young people to participate in betting activities.

Survey data from the NCAA, as reported by NCSharp, showed that 67% of college students aged 18 to 22 who live on campus reported using online apps to place bets, whether through legal or illegal platforms. This level of engagement suggests widespread exposure to gambling among college-aged individuals.

Research from Fairleigh Dickinson University, reported by the Associated Press, found that 10% of young men in the United States display behavior consistent with gambling problems, compared to 3% of the general population. Additional findings from East Carolina University indicated that 5% of undergraduate college students were classified as at-risk or higher for gambling disorder, with 12.8% of male undergraduates falling into this category, compared to 1.6% of females.

A 2025 national survey conducted by Common Sense Media examined how boys aged 11 to 17 encounter gambling in both digital and physical environments, including exposure through social media and streaming platforms. These findings reflect the range of ways young people interact with gambling content beyond traditional betting venues.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.