Having “the talk” is a milestone for every parent. But as digital betting saturates smartphone screens and sports broadcasts, traditional conversations about sex and safety now need to include the risks of online gambling.
A mother comforts her daughter during a conversation. Responsible gambling advocates are calling on parents and caregivers to include gambling in “the talk” with their children. (Image: Shutterstock) The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) commissioned The Harris Poll to gauge how parents and caregivers are addressing gambling with their adolescents.
The survey found that only slightly more than half (51%) of parents with children aged six to 17 have had “the gambling talk.” Of the remaining parents, 40% said they planned to have the conversation, while only 9% said they had no plans to address the topic.
Parents are concerned about their children’s exposure to gambling, which makes sense as sports betting and prediction markets become more accessible and visible,” said Derek Longmeier, board president of the NCPG.
Based in Washington, D.C., the NCPG is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated to mitigating gambling-related harm through advocacy and awareness.
Gambling Conversations
The NCPG is calling on parents to talk with their children about gambling, with the national nonprofit asserting that betting presents risks comparable to drugs, alcohol, and sex. To assist parents, the NCPG said it is developing practical tools and educational materials.
“We’re hearing from parents who want to better understand the risks and are asking for practical resources to help them have these conversations with their kids,” Longmeier said.
The Harris Poll found that fathers are particularly concerned about youth gambling, with nearly three in four dads (75%) expressing worry—a rate significantly higher than mothers at 42%.
Parents noted they would be most interested in receiving resources on detecting early signs of problem gambling, educational materials on youth betting risks, and step-by-step guidance on when and how to initiate the conversation.
NCPG Support & Industry Pushback
The NCPG poll comes ahead of the nonprofit’s annual Gift Responsibly Campaign, which encourages adults to refrain from gifting lottery tickets and other gambling products to those too young to play legally.
Last year, more than 230 organizations supported and participated in the campaign, including lotteries, gambling operators, and community partners. Participation was 30% higher than the prior year.
Controversy surrounding the NCPG could hamper support in 2026. The NCPG continues to defend its welcoming of prediction markets through the newly created Financial Services & Trading membership subcategory.
Standard gaming industry operators and state regulators contend that sports event contracts traded on prediction markets amount to unlicensed sports gambling.
State regulatory bodies—including the Michigan Gaming Control Board, the Ohio Casino Control Commission, and the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling—have recently cut ties or rescinded their NCPG memberships, citing unwillingness to align with entities engaging in unapproved sports betting markets.
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