Results were released for the "Youth and Gambling" survey from all regions of Chile

This study is part of the National Responsible Gambling Strategy being carried out by the Superintendence of Gambling Casinos, which seeks to educate gamblers, their families and society in general, as well as to inform about problematic and/or pathological gambling behaviour and how to prevent it, encouraging good responsible gambling practices.

Among the main results of the survey, 8 out of 10 young people have gambled online or have been on online platforms where other people gamble. Of this figure, 89% are male, the majority are young people between 15 and 19 years old (82%) and from a high socio-economic level (82%).

On average, those who gamble online spend 7 hours a week doing so, while those who watch other people gamble on platforms such as Twitch or YouTube do so for 6 hours from Monday to Sunday.

In relation to gambling, 5 out of 10 young people say they have gambled at some point in their lives. More men than women have done so (58% vs. 36%, respectively) and, in addition, most of them belong to the 20-24 age group (52% vs. 41% of young people aged 15-19) and to the high socio-economic level (56% vs. 42% of young people with a low SES).

In the last 12 months, 1 in 3 young people have spent money on informal gambling with other people (friends, family, etc.), the same proportion on lottery tickets and about 1 in 5 have gambled on sporting events (face-to-face or online).

"When the behaviour of gambling and betting ceases to be a form of entertainment and is repeated abusively, the sensation of pleasure or well-being creates a dependence on it in our brain, establishing a habit and a need, which is expressed in a problematic relationship with gambling. In this sense, this study provides us with an overview of gambling behaviour in young people, constituting an important step forward, with the ultimate goal of having a public policy that promotes responsible gambling", commented the Superintendent of Gambling Casinos, Vivien Villagrán.

Of the young people who reported having played an online game, about half reported doing so to escape from their problems. This is mostly mentioned by young men (52%), and those between 15 and 19 years of age (51%).

In this respect, the National Director of INJUV, Juan Pablo Duhalde Vera, pointed out that "it is essential that we look deeply into issues like this, especially when mental health is affected. In the Let's Talk About It programme, we have a psychosocial support chat room staffed by professionals, where young people who feel overwhelmed by situations related to gambling or any other issue can go, completely free of charge and anonymously".

Other relevant data

1 in 3 young people reported having consumed cigarettes while participating in gambling and/or betting. This is followed by the percentage who have done so under the influence of marijuana (19%) and alcohol (14%).

Half of young people say that they have played or watched video games while using marijuana, followed by those who have done so while using cigarettes (32%) and alcohol (24%).

Around 70% of young people consider gambling/ gambling and video games to be very problematic and problematic for young Chileans.

7 out of 10 young people strongly agree and agree that the state should have a greater role in the regulation of online sports gambling.