Casinos are one of the most popular hobbies across demographics in the UK, with 48% of the adult population participating monthly between 2023 and 2024 according to the UK Gambling Commission.¹ Despite its strong popularity across the country, there are differences in casino habits—including popular games, playing frequency, and payment methods—between older and younger players. Let’s have a look at some of the differences found across the age groups.
Increase in Gambling Amongst Young People
For some people within the UK, the entirety of their involvement in gambling comes in the form of a weekly lottery ticket. However, some gamble with much more frequency, with studies suggesting that young people participate more than their older counterparts. Experts at NewCasinos examined a 2024 report on young people (aged 11 to 17) in gambling and found that “27% reported spending their own money on gambling”.² While much of this was found to be legal—age-appropriate forms like raffles and arcade machines—6% still reported spending their money on age-restricted sites.
The report represents a concerning shift in younger people towards gambling activities. It was suggested that young people were not only influenced through traditional channels like television marketing and their family, but increasingly by online figures like influencers and celebrities. The influence of these figures has been emphasised by social media, which increases visibility and accessibility.
The Influence of Video Games
There have been growing concerns among legislators and parents about the blurring lines between video games and gambling. BBC News pointed out how some video games, like the Grand Theft Auto series, feature casinos in gameplay. The Diamond Casino & Resort includes playable games, like slots, the ‘lucky wheel’, and other table games, as well as horse betting.³ Players can use in-game money at the casino, however, this money can be bought with real-world currency. This has led many parents to view the game as only a small step away from gambling, and they have raised concerns about how the hobby is glorified within the game.
There’s further content in video games that has drawn comparisons to gambling, such as content packs, sometimes referred to as lootboxes. In FIFA, players are able to purchase packs containing mystery players in the hope of improving their team. Although most of these packs can be opened through gameplay, some players still choose to use money to purchase them. As players don’t know what the packs include, and they are randomly assigned, they use similar selection mechanics to casino games like roulette.
How do the Government and Providers Plan to Tackle the Trend?
There are a number of ways the Government and providers are looking to tackle this concerning trend in behaviour. As of the 2026 Premier League season, gambling companies have voluntarily agreed not to display their sponsorship on players’ shirts. In advertisements, gambling providers will be banned from using recognised sports figures, like famous football players, in television ads. Studies have found that these forms of advertisement appeal disproportionately to young people. The Government has also proposed stricter restrictions on proof of age, meaning customers could have to upload a form of identification like a passport before registering an account.
Some of the gambling warning signs to look out for in young people include becoming anxious or irritable when asked about their habits, frequently mentioning gambling, especially speaking positively of it, and changes to routines or relationships. It’s also a good idea to monitor the actions of young people on video games, in particular, any spending. Anyone concerned about their relationship with gambling, or that of someone they know, can make use of the responsible gambling tools found across providers. GambleAware advises contacting gambling providers to exclude or block an account from their site, as well as prevent social media ads by silencing gambling terms under ‘account settings’.⁴
Differences in Popular Casino Games
One of the most obvious differences between age demographics is the popularity of different games. From classics, like poker and roulette, to those that make use of cutting-edge technology, like virtual reality blackjack and 3D slots, different options appeal to each player.
Which Games are Most Popular With Younger Players?
Online casinos have been making a concentrated effort to appeal to a younger demographic through social media and new games. Younger demographics have a tendency to prefer more technologically advanced games, including those that use virtual reality, like VR blackjack. Using VR headsets, players are immersed within a vibrant and realistic casino environment enhanced by sound and graphic effects. Using customisable avatars, players are able to interact with elements within the game, such as spinning wheels, chips, and dealers. Although the technology isn’t yet fully mainstream, those who do play VR casino games are usually from younger age groups.
Casino games that allow for a form of social interaction are also popular with younger players. Players are able to do just this on multiplayer versions of popular games, like poker, combining gaming with socialisation. Some sites even offer players the ability to host exclusive tournaments for their friends. Younger players frequent casinos that offer interactive elements, like multiplayer options, leaderboards, and live chats.
One type of casino game that is popular across age demographics is slots; they come in many different varieties, and different slot games appeal to each age demographic. Innovative offerings, like 3D slots, which offer higher levels of immersion, are most popular with younger players. Further options, like I-slots or interactive slots, which include mini-games that influence the overall outcome, are also popular. Slots remain one of the top games, with a wide range of ages due to their lower-stakes options and the instant gratification players get from winning spins. They’re also accessible to most players as they have simple mechanics and luck-determined results.
Which Games are Most Popular With Older Players?
The most popular games with older casino players are often casino classics, like roulette and craps. Card games that require skill, like blackjack and poker, are especially popular as they balance luck and strategy. In terms of slots, traditional versions like classic video slots remain the most played by older players. They offer a sense of nostalgia with their simple three-reel or five-reel mechanism and iconic symbols like fruit, bells, and pound signs.
Older generations of players also prefer games that are most reminiscent of the real casino game experience, like video poker. While it’s played against a machine, the rules and mechanisms of video poker remain the same as the in-person version. This also allows users to play at their own pace as they learn how to operate the game.
Differences in Payment Methods
There’s also a difference in payment methods between younger and older casino players. A study by Oliver Wyman shows that older generations generally use methods like bank transfers and cards while shopping. While 48% of baby boomers pay using credit cards, only 27% of Gen Z use them.⁵ While credit cards are banned at UK casinos, older players still prefer traditional methods that use debit cards or bank transfers. Younger players tend to look for alternative payment methods, using third-party providers like PayPal and e-wallet options like Skrill, Neteller, and Bitcoin. These trends are reflected in the casino spending of different demographics, as Gen Z players are the biggest users of casinos that specialise in crypto payments.
Younger Players Prefer Innovative Options
It’s clear that there are differences between many of the habits of younger and older casino players. While younger players like to make the most of innovative options, like VR blackjack and 3D slots, older players tend to look for more traditional and nostalgic options. The same trend for innovation can be found in the different payment methods commonly used by the two demographics. Younger players prefer newer payment methods like PayPal and e-wallet options.
A worrying trend has emerged in recent reports, with more young people getting into gambling from a young age. The involvement of more young people in gambling has been attributed to the appearance of gambling-like features in video games and the impact of popular figures like influencers and celebrities. In order to curb the problem, the Government has introduced more restrictive measures on advertising and age-verification services. Overall, differences in the taste of games, payment methods, and gambling frequency are clear to see between younger and older players.
4: Helping a Young Person Who Gambles, Written by GambleAware, Published by GambleAware.
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