NYS OASAS Youth Development Survey – Underage Gambling Data

In 2014, NYS OASAS conducted a Youth Development Survey that included questions to assess youth, ages 12-17, participation in and perceptions of gambling. The survey targeted over 74,000 students in schools across 12 counties. 

Quantitative Data Highlights

• 39% have gambled in the past year. Most Common Gambling Activities Among NYS Youth are:
  • 26% played lottery, lotto or scratch offs,
  • 4% bet money on raffles or charity games, and
  • 5% bet money on sports.

• 30% of youth who gamble say they started at age 10 or younger. This is in comparison to:
  • 9% first use of alcohol at age 10 or younger, 
  • 8% first cigarette at age 10 or younger,
  • 6% first pain reliever at age 10 or younger, and
  • 5% first use of marijuana at age 10 or younger.

• 85% of youth say their parents feel it’s wrong for them to gamble.  This is in comparison to:
  • 97% say their parents feel it’s wrong for them to smoke tobacco,
  • 97% say their parents feel it’s wrong for them to use a prescription drug not prescribed to you,
  • 96% say their parents feel it’s wrong for them to steal something,
  • 95% say their parents feel it’s wrong for them to 1-2 drinks daily,
  • 93% say their parents feel it’s wrong for them to smoke marijuana, and 
  • 89% say their parents feel it’s wrong for them to pick a fight.

Qualitative Findings

• The frequent youth gamblers are more likely to report the presence of risk factors than non-gamblers.
• The frequent youth gamblers reported fewer protective factors than non-youth gamblers.

Risk Factors

Family risk factors

• Parenting: no clear rules or monitoring.
• Conflict: arguments, insults, yelling.
• Antisocial: use/deal drugs.

Peer risk factors

• Peer attitudes favorable to drug use.
• Friends use drugs.

Individual risk factor

• Low commitment to school.
• Depression.

Protective Factors

Community protective factor

• Community opportunities (i.e. sports, scouting, 4H, etc.).

School protective factors

• Peer pro-social: clubs in and out of school.
• School rewards (i.e. teacher praise).
• Classroom autonomy.

Family protective factors

• Family rewards: parents notice and praise.
• Family involvement (i.e. family decisions).
• Family attachment.

Individual protective factors

• Social skills.
• Moral order (i.e. not okay to cheat or steal).