The issue of gambling among young people has returned to the forefront of European political debate. It was brought back onto the institutions’ agenda by a question tabled by Spanish MEP Ana Miranda Paz, who asked the European Commission to clarify what measures it intends to take to combat the rise in betting addiction among teenagers and young adults.
The document stems primarily from concerns raised in Spain, where public debate on online betting has become increasingly heated in recent years. At stake is not only the economic issue linked to the gambling market, but above all, the cultural and social impact that gambling is having on the younger generations.
The widespread feeling, even among many industry observers, is that the line between digital entertainment and risk is becoming less clear than in the past. It is precisely this perception that seems to have prompted some in European politics to call for stricter rules.
Data that sparked the debate
According to data published by the Spanish Observatory on Behavioural Addictions, a significant proportion of students aged between 14 and 18 reported having gambled for money at least once in the last twelve months, either online or in person.
The phenomenon mainly affects males, particularly in sports betting, now considered a regular feature of digital entertainment linked to sport.
Spanish health authorities also speak of a minority but significant group of adolescents exhibiting behaviour consistent with potential problem gambling. It is precisely this figure that has fuelled the political debate in recent weeks.
At the same time, the online market continues to grow. Figures released by the Directorate-General for the Regulation of Gambling show a sector still expanding, driven mainly by betting and online casinos.
Advertising remains one of the most controversial issues
Much of the debate centres on commercial communication regarding gambling. According to advocates of strict regulation, the constant presence of betting on digital platforms, at sporting events and in online content contributes to making gambling seem normal in the eyes of young people.
In Spain, the government had already introduced very strict limits on online gambling advertising in recent years. Some restrictions were subsequently revised following court rulings, but the issue continues to divide politicians, operators and associations.
The question tabled in the European Parliament also highlights another aspect: the proliferation of betting shops in the most economically vulnerable urban areas. This criticism has long accompanied debates over betting across Europe.
Europe’s role
At the regulatory level, however, the European Union’s room for manoeuvre remains limited. The regulation of gambling continues, in fact, to fall within the remit of individual Member States.
This does not mean that Brussels is completely out of the picture. In recent years, European institutions have repeatedly called on national governments to strengthen measures to protect vulnerable consumers, particularly online.
The issue has become even more sensitive following the growth of digital gambling in the post-pandemic period. Immediate accessibility via smartphones, the use of apps and constant access to sports content have profoundly transformed the relationship between users and gambling platforms.
A sector facing new pressures
For regulated operators, this is not an easy time. On the one hand, the sector remains a significant industry from an economic and fiscal perspective. On the other hand, political pressure is mounting for the sector to demonstrate greater social responsibility.
The European debate seems set to go beyond the simple issue of advertising restrictions. Increasingly, the discussion centres on how gambling is perceived by young people and the risk that it may become part of everyday digital life, without any real awareness of the possible consequences.
The question tabled by Ana Miranda Paz is unlikely to change the European regulatory framework on its own, but it nevertheless represents an important political signal. It confirms that child protection in the betting market will continue to play a central role in the regulatory debate in the coming years.
This article was originally published on the Italian SiGMA News page on 25 May 2026.
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