Only Half the Parents Had “the Talk” About Gambling, Survey Says

For lots of parents, “the talk” about sex, alcohol and drugs is part of raising children. Now, as sports betting and prediction markets are becoming more and more visible and hard to avoid online, gambling advocates want families to add another subject to those sensitive discussions. A survey commissioned by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and conducted by The Harris Poll found that just 51% of parents and caregivers with children aged 6 to 17 had spoken to them about gambling. Another 40% said they planned to have the conversation, while 9% had no plans to do so. “Parents Are Concerned” The findings come amid betting content’s increased accessibility through smartphones, sports broadcasts and online platforms, raising further concerns about how early young people may come across gambling. “Parents are concerned about their children’s exposure to gambling, which makes sense as sports betting and prediction markets become more accessible and visible,” said Derek Longmeier, president of the NCPG board. The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit advocates for reducing gambling-related harm and says parents need more support in discussing the subject with their children. Fathers Are More Worried The survey also found a difference between fathers’ and mothers’ reported concerns. Three-quarters of fathers said they were worried about youth gambling, compared with 42% of mothers. Among the resources parents said they would find most useful were advice on recognizing early signs of problem gambling, educational materials explaining the risks to young people, and step-by-step guidance on when and how to start the conversation. The NCPG says it is developing practical tools to help families address the issue. “We’re hearing from parents who want to better understand the risks and are asking for practical resources to help them have these conversations with their kids,” Longmeier said. The survey’s findings also arrive ahead of the organization’s annual Gift Responsibly Campaign, which encourages adults not to give lottery tickets or other gambling products to children who are below the legal gambling age. Last year, more than 230 organizations took part in the campaign, including lottery operators, gambling companies and community partners. Participation rose 30% from the previous year. Prediction Markets Add More Tension However, the NCPG faces a separate challenge as it prepares for its next campaign. Its decision to welcome prediction markets through a new Financial Services & Trading membership category has drawn criticism from some gambling regulators and industry groups. Traditional gaming operators and several state regulators argue that sports event contracts traded on prediction markets amount to sports betting offered without the required state licenses. The dispute has prompted organizations including the Michigan Gaming Control Board, the Ohio Casino Control Commission and the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling to cut ties with the NCPG or withdraw their memberships. The disagreements could complicate efforts to build broad support for the organization’s work in 2026.