We’ve all seen them at this point–the ubiquitous promotions for online gambling and sports wagering. It’s hard to get through a football game–sometimes even a timeout–without being reminded of how “easy” or “exciting” it is to place a wager, right there on your smartphone.

It’s hard to believe, but sports wagering has only been legal in New Jersey for six years. Beforehand, placing a bet on a sporting event meant two things: heading to Las Vegas or wagering in an illegal market. And putting money down at the blackjack table required a trip to Atlantic City. Now, New Jersey residents can gamble from their homes, or while out with friends using smartphones.

And since most teenagers have smartphones, too, the rapid rise of online sports wagering in New Jersey and across the country becomes another worry for moms and dads. Unlike some of the other concerns we have – like drinking, smoking, using drugs, or texting while driving – there are no physical signs of underage gambling.

This is a new issue for us parents, and so it is likely you may not know about a silent problem that is made easier through the smartphone in your kid’s pocket, and the signs may not be as visible as experimentation with alcohol or drugs.

As a father of two young children and a huge sports fan, and as the chief law enforcement officer for New Jersey who oversees the state’s casinos through the Division of Gaming Enforcement, these are some things I think parents should know about gambling, as well as some tips about what to watch out for in your own families.

Teenagers and the Problem of Online Gambling and Sports Betting

As with entering a casino building in Atlantic City, you must be 21 to gamble online. Unfortunately, we all know that sometimes kids do stuff they are not supposed to do, and it is up to us, as parents, to warn them about risky behavior and to keep them from having access to the things they shouldn’t have.

Last year, the Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University released a study of more than 3,000 people and found the rate of problem gambling in New Jersey is 5.6% – that equals nearly three times the national average. Even more troubling than the overall percentage is the breakdown. Many of those suffering from gambling addiction are young. In looking at the prevalence of problem gambling, 19% are between the ages of 18 and 24. That translates to over 77,000 of New Jersey’s young people.

A much smaller study found that some kids begin gambling at an even younger age. In both studies, the majority of the time, it is boys and young men who are at risk.

This report also found that two-thirds of problem gamblers have adolescents or children living in their homes.

So first, I urge parents to be mindful of their own gambling behavior. If you choose to play, make sure you are doing it as part of a social activity. You can find tips for responsible gaming here. Set limits on what you play, for how long, and know when to walk away. Moreover, if you gamble, make sure you log off your accounts if you share any devices with your teenagers, and don’t let them hang on to your credit card information.

You know, and I know, that our children learn how to behave from what they see around them every day.

Warning Signs of Compulsive Gambling in Teens and Young Adults

Earlier this year, I was a guest on the podcast “Hello, My Name is Craig,” which is hosted by Craig Carton, the sports broadcaster who had his own problems with gambling and law enforcement a number of years ago. Show after show, guests in recovery from gambling discuss the consequences of their disorder, from wrecked relationships, job loss, financial ruin, and suicidal thoughts.

So if you are familiar at all with the warning signs of other substance use disorders and addictions, these compulsive gambling red flags may look familiar to you. Our partners at the nonprofit Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey outline these and other problem gambling warning signs in teenagers:

• Borrowing money
• Selling personal items
• Using gambling language frequently
• Declining grades
• Alienation from family and friends
• Large amount of money on hand and showing off
• Bragging about winnings
• Unexplained absences from school
• Neglecting household chores
• Inability to cut back or stop gambling
• Lying to friends and family about gambling

What New Jersey Is Doing

New Jersey has some of the most stringent standards and guardrails in the country aimed at promoting responsible gaming and preventing underage access. Among other things, operators must use multifactor authentication, in addition to birth date verification and identity checks; monitor account activity and player data, and use that data to proactively intervene when a customer is showing signs of problem gambling; and must abide by various advertising standards to avoid targeting youth or to promote false chances of winning a bet.

Recognizing more work needs to be done, Governor Murphy established a Responsible Gaming Task Force, which I chair. It is bringing together all government agencies that regulate gambling and gaming, as well as those that oversee mental health, and will consult with experts across the state. In 2025, we will present recommendations to the state about a comprehensive strategy to streamline and improve what is offered to the public so that we can prevent this disorder.

Generation Z—and Generation Alpha coming up behind them—are the first generations to have a casino and a sportsbook in their pocket that is ready and open for business as soon as they turn 21. As with other regulated industries, like alcohol, we need to start this education early.

Additional Resources and Reminders

• In New Jersey, the age for legal, regulated casinos and sportsbooks is 21. For legal, regulated daily fantasy sports, the age is 18.
• If you think you would benefit from a gambling time-out. you can place yourself on a self-exclusion list by calling 1-833-788-4DGE or learn more by visiting njoag.com.
• For additional help, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, or find a Gamblers Anonymous meeting near you.

Matthew J. Platkin is the 62nd Attorney General of New Jersey. As New Jersey’s chief law enforcement officer, Attorney General Platkin’s top priority is protecting the rights and safety of New Jersey residents. His work includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, combating gun violence, enforcing strong consumer protection laws, protecting our civil and reproductive rights, regulating important industries, rooting out corruption, and overseeing over 40,000 law enforcement officers throughout the state.

Prior to his role as Attorney General, Platkin served as Chief Counsel to Governor Phil Murphy. He is a native of New Jersey and holds a Bachelor of Arts from Stanford University and a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School. He lives in Montclair with his wife, Sophia, and their two children.

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