House of Lords Library Issues Fresh Briefing on Measures to Limit Gambling Harm for Children and Young People

The House of Lords Library has released an updated briefing that examines ongoing efforts to reduce gambling-related harm among children and young people across Great Britain, and the document pulls together data on participation rates along with details of both longstanding rules and newer initiatives designed to strengthen safeguards.

Participation Trends Among 11 to 17 Year Olds

Figures compiled in the briefing show that 59% of 11–17-year-olds report some form of gambling experience, a level that has remained relatively stable in recent years, while arcade games continue to rank as the most popular activity within this age group. At the same time the proportion of young people who bet using their own money climbed from 27% in 2024 to 30% in 2025, with the increase attributed largely to unregulated gambling according to the Gambling Commission. These statistics come from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain and they provide a snapshot of current behaviours that policymakers continue to monitor closely.

Existing Legal Framework Under the Gambling Act 2005

The briefing outlines the protections already in place through the Gambling Act 2005, which established the regulatory structure that governs most forms of commercial gambling in Great Britain and sets strict age restrictions on many products. Under this legislation operators must implement age-verification systems and ensure that children and young people cannot access certain gambling activities, yet the document notes that gaps remain where unregulated offerings can still reach younger audiences. Observers note that enforcement relies on a combination of licensing conditions and oversight by the Gambling Commission, which works to close loopholes as they appear.

New and Emerging Measures

Alongside the established rules the briefing covers several newer steps intended to further limit exposure and harm. These include proposals for lower stake limits aimed specifically at 18–24-year-olds, the introduction of a statutory levy to fund research and treatment services, and the creation of an illegal gambling taskforce tasked with tackling unlicensed operators. In addition the document references ongoing consultations that explore a possible ban on advertising and sponsorship by unlicensed operators, a step that would extend current restrictions and aim to reduce the visibility of black-market gambling to younger viewers. Each of these developments builds on the foundations of the 2005 Act while addressing emerging challenges identified through recent data.

Implementation and Oversight Challenges

The briefing explains how these measures are expected to work in practice and it highlights the roles played by different government bodies and regulators in rolling them out. Lower stake limits for the 18–24 age bracket, for example, would require changes to licensing conditions that operators must follow, while the statutory levy would generate dedicated funding streams for harm-prevention programmes. The illegal gambling taskforce is described as a coordinated effort across law-enforcement and regulatory agencies, and the consultation on advertising restrictions seeks input from industry stakeholders and public-health experts before any final rules are set. Those who have followed similar policy processes note that timelines can vary depending on consultation outcomes and parliamentary scheduling, yet the document presents each initiative as part of a broader, coordinated response.

Monitoring and Future Reporting

Regular updates to the briefing allow members of the House of Lords to track progress on these fronts, and the latest version incorporates the most recent participation figures alongside descriptions of policy developments that have occurred since the previous edition. The inclusion of 2025 data on betting with personal funds provides a timely reference point for assessing whether current and planned interventions are aligning with observed trends. Researchers and analysts who review such briefings often use them to identify areas where further evidence may be needed, particularly around the effectiveness of new stake limits and the reach of the illegal gambling taskforce.

Conclusion

The updated House of Lords Library briefing therefore serves as a consolidated reference that brings together participation statistics, the framework of the Gambling Act 2005, and details of fresh measures ranging from stake-limit adjustments to advertising consultations. By presenting these elements side by side the document offers a clear overview of the current landscape and the steps underway to address gambling-related harm among children and young people in Great Britain.