Wagers and woes

Almost half of secondary school students have gambled in the past 12months, says a survey. Five per cent are problem gamblers.

The Youth Wellness Centre of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups says gambling games and mobile applications may make the situation even worse.

Gadgets that do not involve actual money may give teenagers a false sense of safety and lead them into a gambling addiction.

The group surveyed 926 students from Secondary One to Five from February to April. It found that the most popular gambling activities are mahjong, electronic gambling and mark six. Some asked older friends to help place bets.

Study leader Hsu Siu-man says teenagers who have problem gamblers in their family are more likely to become addicted, too.

Half the students said their parents had gambled in the past 12 months. Some 17 per cent think their parents are addicted to gambling.