This report examines the role of parents and families on gambling and gambling-related harms in young people. The researchers had four goals:
- Understand gambling behaviours in young people and their families.
- Determine the influence of family attitudes and gambling behaviours on the risk of harms in young people.
- Understand the role of family attitudes and gambling behaviours as a protective factor.
- Identify key policies and practice messages.
Researchers found that parents and family members can influence young people’s gambling. Family influence usually served the following roles:
- Socializers: Whether parents allow gambling in a family context and make it social acceptable.
- Facilitators: Whether parents increase the amount their children take part in gambling.
- Moderators: Whether parents model moderation as an appropriate gambling behaviour or not.
- Protectors: How parents offer support to children with a gambling disorder.
The authors suggest parents teach their children responsible gambling strategies. This could help reduce gambling-related harm for both parents and young people.
