Betting apps lure young

Teens able to conceal addiction

YOUNG people are being lured into online gambling by an influx of seemingly harmless mobile phone games that encourage users to pay to be promoted to a higher level.

Bethany’s gambling awareness leader Annette Devereaux said people as young as 16 were being hooked on gambling apps that were hard to regulate and easy for minors to use.

“It’s a multi-pronged approach in terms of why young people are getting into gambling and increasingly we are seeing online gaming as a pathway into gambling,” Ms Devereaux said.

The gambling support agency has spoken to multiple at-risk groups, including schoolchildren, tradies and footballers during this week’s Gambling Awareness Week.

She said the advent of mobile phone betting had led to a drop in the age young peo- ple started gambling, with students opting to gamble in groups.

“With sports betting, it seems now quite normal in the sporting ground to bet and we are trying to encourage young people to fall in love with the game rather than the odds,” Ms Devereaux said.

“We are also seeing a generation that may have made up false ages to sign up to Facebook, so it thinks they are 18 (when they are younger) and consequently young people are seeing gambling ads.”

A landmark Deakin University report released in July revealed the Geelong region — including the Borough of Queenscliffe — lost $110.5 mil- lion to pokies in the year to June.

Ms Devereaux said while young people were often put off pokies, there was far less stigma around online betting — with people often able to conceal their addiction.

She said anecdotal evidence showed a large percentage of teens were lodging their first bet online well before they were 18.

“One major concern is the isolation they are creating for themselves and also that to get a credit card or gain access to gambling they may have had to have been dishonest with parents,” Ms Devereaux said.

She said parents should be encouraged to talk about gambling with their children and also look out for problems.

“Ultimately this type of gambling could lead to unemployment, depression, relationship problems and financial distress,” she said.

Those seeking help for gambling problems can call 1800 858 858.

Anecdotal evidence showed a large percentage of teens were lodging their first bet online well before they were 18.