1University Educons, Faculty of Sport and Psychology, TIMS, Novi Sad, Serbia
Gambling Prevention Strategies in Adolescents
Innov. Technol. Sport Phys. Act. 2025, 4(2), 17–23 DOI: 10.56886/itspa.251203
Abstract
One of the global social problems that is becoming increasingly noticeable is betting, or different forms of gambling. The increasing availability of online platforms, aggressive media marketing, and the advertising of such products by well-known public figures, such as actors and athletes, certainly contribute to this. All of that together created an image of the normality of such actions, which also affects the increase in the number of young people involved in gambling. Qualitative analysis and synthesis of results obtained from existing works on the topic of betting prevention strategy is actually the main goal of this review paper. For this purpose, the following relevant databases, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, DOAJ, and COBISS, were reviewed during October and November 2025. Keywords were used, both in Serbian and in English (betting, adolescents, prevention, strategy, sports activities, institutions). Based on the reviewed literature, it can be concluded that the most effective strategies are those based on education, the development of social skills, including sports activities, family engagement, and collaboration with relevant institutions. Special emphasis is put on the role of sport in the prevention of gambling, as a healthy model of competitiveness, development of self-confidence, and team spirit, which can act as a protective factor regarding pathological gambling, but unfortunately, also the possibility of promoting gambling. Different prevention strategies are compared, including school education programs, nationwide campaigns, and good practices from European countries.
Keywords
youth gambling addiction, sports betting, youth gambling prevalence, strategy, adolescents
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