Youth gambling on the rise

File photo / Bay of Plenty Times

An increasing number of young people are seeking help for problem gambling, according to new client statistics from the Problem Gambling Foundation.

The statistics show that 11.5 per cent of new clients seeking help last year were aged under 25, up 2.2 per cent on the previous year. Of those, 53 per cent were women and 47 per cent men.

The proportion of clients under 25 seeking help for internet gambling was also up, from 4.5 per cent in 2009 to 7 per cent last year.

Foundation spokesman Tony Milne said the internet was still relatively minor in terms of people seeking help.

"Pokie machines are still the most harmful form of gambling, with 59.5 per cent of those under 25 seeking help for problems with pokie machines," he said.

While the number of young people seeking help was of concern, the number who were not was even more concerning.

"It is preferable to provide treatment for people before their gambling goes on to become a more serious problem for them, so the earlier they seek help the better."

- NZPA