New York psychologist warns children as young as 11 are developing gambling addiction

A New York clinical psychologist says he is seeing more children and young adults with gambling addiction, including patients as young as 11. For high-risk operators, the point is simple: age checks mean little if minors can reach adult phones, tablets, and payment methods.

1. Dr. Michael Adler, who runs Rockland Addictions in New City, Rockland County, said children are bypassing age restrictions by using smartphones and tablets linked to their parents’ payment methods. That turns the adult payment stack into the weak point, not the sign-up form.
2. Adler said treating younger patients is especially difficult because they have limited impulse control and a weaker understanding of the financial consequences. He also noted that children may assume their parents will cover gambling debts, which lowers the perceived risk.
3. He warned parents that it is becoming harder to avoid betting-related messages, including during televised sports broadcasts. He also pointed to fantasy football betting leagues as a possible catalyst for more problematic gambling behavior.
4. The warning signs he listed include constantly thinking about betting, spending increasingly large amounts of money, needing to wager more to get the same excitement, becoming irritable when trying to stop, repeatedly failing to cut back, lying about gambling activity or debt, and running into financial, relationship, or legal problems.
5. Adler’s message is aimed squarely at early intervention: talk to children about gambling before promotions and sports content do it for you. In the United States, people seeking help with gambling problems can call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling online.