Kim Freudenberg, a longtime San Francisco teacher, warned her two sons about drugs, alcohol, sex, social media and bike safety — but never gambling. When her oldest was 11, he clicked a link in a livestream chat and landed on an offshore online casino. He began playing blackjack, poker and roulette, using virtual items from video games as currency.
He seemed normal on the surface: running track, playing soccer, keeping up grades. But the gambling continued for years. By 19 he dropped out of college; Freudenberg discovered he had been gambling for nearly half his life. He had sold household items, borrowed from friends and eventually stole from his parents to cover debts.
Educators, researchers and parents say Freudenberg’s experience reflects a growing problem, mostly among boys. A national Common Sense Media survey found 36% of U.S. boys ages 11 to 17 gambled in the past year. Michael Robb, head of research at the nonprofit, says many activities — like fantasy football or a March Madness bracket — are harmless, but a subset of children are showing troubling gambling behaviors.
Gambling in the U.S. has expanded rapidly since a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that allowed states to legalize sports betting. The Journal of the American Medical Association reports annual spending on sports betting rose from $4.9 billion before the decision to $121 billion by 2023. Although under-18s cannot legally gamble, experts say access is widespread.
“You can bet on every single pitch of a game,” says Matt Missar, an addiction counselor in Pittsburgh who treats gambling and video game addictions. Much of the growth is on smartphones, he adds: “It is incredibly easy.” Missar notes many young people entering treatment show problems that began in early teens and escalated over years.
Freudenberg believes the removal of physical barriers — having to drive to a casino, show ID and handle cash — has made gambling far easier for kids. After several rehab attempts, her son is back in college. Freudenberg helped start a support group for parents of teen gamblers and says enrollment keeps growing.
She worries the issue is widespread and worsening. “The tsunami is on the horizon,” she says. “And it’s gonna be really, really bad.”