Almost 10 million people in the United States play online gambling games. These include casinos, poker, sports betting and virtual poker. Some games are illegal and are played by minors.

According to the Gambling Commission, the number of people who play gambling games via mobile phones is projected to increase to 80% by 2020. This increase will be driven by the increasing number of people who are accessing the Internet from their mobile devices.

There are many reasons why a teenager would start gambling, but the most common reasons are in hopes of winning big, or to pay off debts. If a teen’s parents are also gambling, then there may be a heightened risk that a teen will develop a gambling addiction.

In addition, losing money in gambling games can result in depression and financial anxiety. Several organizations offer help for people with gambling addiction. If you or a loved one is struggling with a gambling addiction, you may wish to research online resources or contact your local primary care physician.

Another factor contributing to the rise in overall gambling by high school age females is the expansion of offline gambling. Casinos advertise heavily on TV and radio, and these advertisements are not necessarily limited to the brick and mortar casinos.

While the number of states that allow online gambling in some form is growing, the regulatory process is not. A number of state officials have expressed concern that the Internet could be used to bring illegal gambling into their jurisdictions. However, each state is responsible for regulating gambling activities in its own way.