This study examined parental influences on adolescent gambling, along with adolescent factors. The researchers surveyed 1,183 Australian parents with at least one adolescent aged 12 to 17 years old. The strongest factor linked to adolescent gambling and problem gambling, was whether parents encouraged or helped their child gamble. Parental problem gambling was also a significant predictor. In addition, adolescents were more likely to gamble and to experience problem gambling if they engaged in simulated gambling, experienced poorer parental monitoring, and had a less positive relationship with their parents. Other factors like parental attitudes towards adolescent gambling were less important. The findings suggest that what parents do with their adolescents around gambling may be more important than their own attitudes or gambling behaviour.
