Let’s Be Honest: Adolescents Speak Up on How to Better Protect Young People from Gambling Harm

Abstract The importance of safeguarding young people from harmful gambling is widely acknowledged, but limited research has sought adolescents’ perspectives on strategies to provide this protection. The current study addresses this gap in understanding. Eighty-nine Australians aged 12–17 years, classed as either at-risk/problem gamblers, non-problem gamblers or non-gamblers, participated in qualitative interview and/or online community conditions. Themes extracted from the data on the things participants believe should be implemented to achieve this aim include open and honest advice from parents; schools-based education that is meaningful, authentic and based on lived experience; truth and transparency in advertising; social marketing that reaches and informs youth; and governments to regulate the gambling and gaming industries into acting ethically and not exploiting young people. At-risk/problem gambler adolescents were able to offer more detailed suggestions on strategies that would protect young people from gambling harm, frequently drawing on their own personal experiences or the stories they heard from others. Multifaceted strategies are required to help adolescents make informed decisions about gambling. Developing and implementing such strategies to protect minors from gambling harm requires a cohesive effort and commitment to addressing this public health issue. Recommendations on how regulators, industry, parents and other stakeholders may contribute to this effort are discussed.