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SiYP- Gambling and Minors

March 11, 2026
00:00

A recent study found that more than a third of boys ages 11 to 17 gambled in the past year.

 

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Johnathan McKee: I'm Johnathan McKee and you're listening to Plugged In. Gambling is illegal for kids, but that hasn't stopped it from finding its way onto their screens. With sports betting now legal for adults, gambling ads are everywhere during football, on social media, even on YouTube.

Many popular video games use gambling-style features like loot boxes, which let kids spend real money for a random reward. A recent study from Common Sense Media found that more than a third of boys age 11 to 17 gambled in the past year. More than a third, including sports bets and in-game purchases.

Most said they were exposed to gambling content just by scrolling online. Gambling can hook young brains quickly and lead to long-term money problems. Parents might want to think twice before saving credit card info on devices and remind kids that virtual bets still cost real cash. For more about the screens in your kids' pockets, visit pluggedin.com/radio. I'm Johnathan McKee, author of Parenting Generation Screen, with Focus on the Family's Plugged In.

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About Plugged In Entertainment Reviews

Plugged In is a Focus on the Family publication designed to shine a light on the world of popular entertainment while giving families the essential tools they need to understand, navigate and impact the culture in which they live. Through our reviews, articles and discussions, we hope to spark intellectual thought, spiritual growth and a desire to follow the command of Colossians 2:8: "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ."

Each month, PluggedIn.com is visited more than 1 million times by people looking for detailed information about what's really in popular movies, videos, television episodes, songs and games. Entertainment industry ratings only tell you so much. We go deeper, diving into specific content and the meaning behind it. Our award-winning website also offers news and blogs.

About Adam Holz, Paul Asay and Johnathan McKee

Adam Holz After serving as an associate editor at NavPress' Discipleship Journal and consulting editor for Current Thoughts and Trends, Adam now oversees the editing and publishing of Plugged In's reviews along with hosting The Plugged In Show and the Plugged In Entertainment Review radio feature.  

Paul Asay has been part of the Plugged In staff since 2007, watching and reviewing roughly 15 quintillion movies and television shows. He’s written for a number of other publications, too, including Time, The Washington Post and Christianity Today. The author of several books, Paul loves to find spirituality in unexpected places, including popular entertainment, and he loves all things superhero. His vices include James Bond films, Mountain Dew and terrible B-grade movies. He’s married, has two children and a neurotic dog, runs marathons on occasion and hopes to someday own his own tuxedo. Feel free to follow him on Twitter @AsayPaul.

Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books. He has over 20 years youth ministry experience and speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, He can be heard each week on the Plugged In Entertainment Review radio feature and The Plugged In Show. You can follow Jonathan on his blog, getting a regular dose of youth culture and parenting help. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.

Contact Plugged In Entertainment Reviews with Adam Holz, Paul Asay and Johnathan McKee

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