Esports betting sites advertise using social media posts that are funny and relatable, with memes deliberately targeting a younger audience. Social media also plays a big part in encouraging young gamers to bet, by making it seem like a normal part of gaming.
While traditional gambling is illegal for minors, esports betting and other in-game gambling mechanics are not regulated, thus people under 18, or in some areas, under 21 can easily gamble, often on their parents’ credit cards. One concern is that because esports betting may not look like traditional gambling, parents of gamers or young people may not realize that esports betting and loot box purchasing can be, in fact, gambling.
Since esports has become increasingly mainstream and esports betting is widely accessible, it’s important to understand the potential risks, especially for younger people.
