Teen pokies represent the engagement of individuals under 18 in playing pokies. Discover the appeal and risks among teens.
Teen pokies represent a significant public health concern in Australia, where gambling participation among young people has reached notable levels. This comprehensive overview explores the prevalence of pokies gambling among teenagers, the factors driving participation, associated risks, and current prevention strategies.
Teen pokies—referring to the use of poker machines (slot machines) by minors or young adults—have become a growing concern in Australia’s gambling landscape. With increasing accessibility, both online and offline, and the normalization of gambling in youth culture, teen pokies are associated with rising rates of gambling participation and problem gambling among adolescents. This post explores the trends, risks, regulations, and prevention strategies related to teen pokies.
Teen pokies refer to the engagement of individuals under the legal gambling age (18 years) in playing poker machines, either in physical venues or online. While the legal age for gambling in Australia is 18, studies show that a significant proportion of teenagers have gambled, including on pokies, often through informal or unregulated channels.
The appeal of pokies among teenagers stems from multiple factors. Research indicates that about 2 percent of 16-17 year-olds—approximately 9,000 teenagers—have reported spending money on poker machines and related gaming venues. This participation is driven partly by the social environment and peer influences. Teenagers are significantly more likely to gamble if they or their friends engage in risky behaviours such as drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, or using cannabis.
Additionally, the rise of online pokies has transformed accessibility and appeal for younger demographics. Players aged 18-34 now comprise much of the new player base for online pokies, with mobile access to digital gaming platforms making these games increasingly available to younger individuals. Online platforms attract new players through sophisticated game variety, engaging themes, bonus structures offering free spins, and welcome packages.
The risks associated with teen pokies are substantial and multifaceted. Gambling during adolescence can lead to addiction, financial hardship, and developmental issues. Research demonstrates that teenagers who play gambling-like video games embedded in certain games are at elevated risk of transitioning to commercial gambling with real money and developing gambling problems in the future.
Australia maintains strict legal frameworks attempting to restrict teen access to pokies. Proof of age is required for entry into gaming venues, and pokies in pubs and clubs are meant to be accessible only to adults.
Despite age restrictions, participation by teenagers in restricted forms of gambling continues, showcasing gaps in enforcement and the need for more comprehensive regulations.
Specific populations face heightened vulnerability. Boys who have experienced bullying—either as victims or perpetrators—are more likely to engage in gambling activities. The data reveals alarming trends: among adults, risky gambling increased dramatically from 13.7% in 2024 to 19.4% in 2025, almost doubling since COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020-2021. Approximately 5.9% of the population reported being personally affected by another person's gambling, with higher rates among younger age groups (18-34), unemployed individuals, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Gambling among Australian teenagers is more widespread than commonly recognized. Approximately 30% of 12-17 year-olds gamble, increasing to almost 46% of 18-19 year-olds, with these habits persisting into adulthood. Among 16-17 year-olds specifically, about one in five boys and one in eight girls reported spending money on at least one gambling activity in a 12-month period.
The most common form of gambling for teenagers is private betting with friends and family—such as cards or Mahjong—which has no legal age restrictions. However, approximately 5% of 16-17 year-olds reported betting on sports games and horse and dog races, which have strict age restrictions.
Australia maintains strict legal frameworks attempting to restrict teen access to pokies. Proof of age is required for entry into gaming venues, and pokies in pubs and clubs are meant to be accessible only to adults. However, enforcement gaps persist, as evidenced by the continued participation of teenagers in restricted gambling forms.
Current regulatory frameworks appear insufficient given the persistence of teen gambling and the rise of online gambling. Overall gambling participation in the Australian population is 58.8% in 2025, continuing a long-term downward trend in participation rates, yet risky gambling has intensified. The shift toward online gambling platforms—which now account for 31% of total gambling turnover nationwide—presents new regulatory challenges, particularly regarding age verification and accessibility controls.
Effective prevention requires comprehensive education about gambling risks. Research reveals that teenagers are significantly less likely to gamble if their friends have positive attitudes toward academic achievement and are interested in doing well at school. This suggests that fostering academic focus and positive peer influences can serve as protective factors against gambling participation.
Parental influence plays a crucial role in prevention. Interestingly, girls who played gambling-like video games were significantly more likely to do so if a parent also played these types of games, though this association was not observed for boys. This indicates that parents should be mindful of their own gambling and gaming habits, as children may model these behaviours. Open communication about the risks of gambling and monitoring of both online and offline gaming activities are essential protective measures.
Online pokies represent a rapidly growing concern for teen gambling. The average Australian gambler spends about AUD 397.50 on online gambling, with approximately one-third of the gambling population regularly betting on online platforms. The shift to digital gambling has transformed accessibility, with younger players particularly attracted to mobile-accessible platforms offering sophisticated features and generous bonus structures.
While traditional brick-and-mortar venues require physical presence and age verification at entry points, online platforms present lower barriers to access. Online pokies offer more interactive gaming features, engaging themes, high RTP (Return to Player) rates, and advanced technology, making them particularly appealing to younger demographics. Many players now combine both experiences, visiting physical venues while also engaging with online platforms.
The proliferation of online gambling has intensified harm despite declining overall participation rates in traditional gambling, highlighting the critical need for regulatory and public health responses specifically targeting online gambling.
Teen pokies represent a multifaceted public health challenge in Australia, with approximately 30% of teenagers engaging in some form of gambling and evolving accessibility through online platforms. While traditional venues maintain age restrictions, the rise of digital gambling has created new pathways for youth access. Prevention requires comprehensive approaches combining regulatory enforcement, parental engagement, peer influence strategies, and education programs that address both traditional and online gambling risks. The intensification of risky gambling despite declining overall participation underscores the urgent need for strengthened regulatory frameworks and targeted interventions protecting young Australians from gambling-related harm.
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