High school poker leagues are flourishing as teens bypass weak online safeguards to gamble, leaving some students deep in debt while their developing brains make them particularly vulnerable to addiction.
At a Glance
- Online poker has become increasingly popular among high school students across the country, with some students accumulating significant debt
- Online casinos have weak age restrictions, making gambling sites easily accessible to underage users
- Research shows children introduced to gambling by age 12 are four times more likely to develop gambling problems later in life
- A recent JAMA Internal Medicine study reveals a 23% increase in gambling addiction help-seeking since sports betting was legalized in 2018
- Experts recommend stricter online gambling regulations, improved addiction services, and greater awareness of risks to teens
The Growing Trend of Teen Gambling
Online poker has emerged as a concerning trend among high school students nationwide, with school-based poker leagues hosting numerous tables featuring varying rules and levels of expertise. The accessibility of online gambling platforms has made it increasingly easy for teenagers to participate, despite legal age requirements. Many of these students are gambling irresponsibly, with some accumulating significant financial debt that threatens their future financial stability and educational prospects.
The expansion of online gambling follows a broader national trend. Since the 2018 Supreme Court decision in Murphy v. NCAA, which allowed states to legalize sports betting, the gambling landscape has transformed dramatically. The number of states with operational sportsbooks has jumped from just one in 2017 to 38 in 2024, with 94% of wagers now placed online rather than at physical locations. This digital shift has removed many traditional barriers that once prevented underage participation.
Inadequate Protections and Teen Vulnerability
Online casinos operate with notably weak age verification systems, making it relatively simple for high school students to access gambling platforms. Many sites require little more than checking a box confirming the user is of legal age or entering a birthdate, with minimal follow-up verification. This lax approach to age restrictions has created an environment where underage gambling can flourish, particularly among tech-savvy teenagers who can easily navigate these minimal barriers.
The adolescent brain is particularly susceptible to addiction. Teenagers are at a critical stage of neurological development where the prefrontal cortex, responsible for impulse control and decision-making, is not fully developed. This biological reality makes teens more likely to engage in risky behaviors without fully considering the consequences. When combined with the dopamine hits provided by gambling activities, this creates a perfect storm for potential addiction formation at a young age.
The Broader Gambling Addiction Crisis
The problem extends beyond high schools. A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine highlights a significant 23% increase in gambling addiction help-seeking since sports betting was legalized in 2018. The research, which analyzed Google search trends for gambling addiction-related queries, found that online sportsbooks have a substantially greater impact on gambling addiction help-seeking than traditional in-person betting establishments.
“Despite gambling addiction as a recognized disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, it remains largely overlooked in healthcare and public health with no formal ongoing surveillance,” said Kevin Yang, M.D.
The normalization of gambling through pervasive advertising, integration into social media platforms, and frequent mentions during sporting events has created an environment where betting is increasingly seen as a standard part of the sports experience. For teenagers already immersed in sports culture, this normalization makes gambling appear as a natural extension of their interests rather than a potentially harmful activity with serious consequences.
Recommended Solutions and Protections
Experts recommend several interventions to address the rising problem of teen gambling. These include implementing stricter age verification systems for online gambling platforms, increasing funding for addiction services specifically tailored to adolescents, and developing public awareness campaigns targeted at both parents and teenagers about the risks of early gambling exposure. Schools are also being encouraged to incorporate gambling awareness into their health education programs.
Healthcare professionals need better training to identify and treat gambling addiction in younger populations. Currently, gambling addiction lacks formal surveillance in healthcare systems, meaning many cases go undetected until they’ve become severe. By improving clinical training and establishing clearer protocols for screening, identification, and treatment, medical providers could help catch and address gambling problems before they cause significant harm to young people’s futures and financial stability.
