Bosnia and Herzegovina leads Europe in the number of betting shops relative to population size—and that number continues to grow. The increasing number of venues offering games of chance, along with their accessibility and availability—especially near schools—makes betting and gambling increasingly present among children and youth. Not only is it within easy reach, but when combined with a lack of quality recreational options, boredom, peer pressure, curiosity, and the idea of quick money, it’s no surprise that betting shops are filled with minors.
Games of chance are activities in which participants wager money or something of value with the hope of winning monetary rewards. Outcomes generally depend on luck rather than skill. Even in games like poker, where strategy and player skill may influence the outcome, luck still plays a significant role—such as in the cards a player is dealt.
Although gambling is legally prohibited for minors, they still find ways to place bets every day. Does this concern the betting operators? Not really—so long as the house keeps winning. If the state fails to adequately enforce laws meant to protect children and youth, the responsibility falls back on those who should be attentive, who should care about where, how, and with whom children are spending their free time. Yes—parents!
According to a 2024 survey by the Association NARKO-NE, one in four children aged 13 to 17 in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina participates in some form of gambling, and more than half of respondents (63.2%) said their parents are aware of this. Alarmingly, there is no significant difference in gambling rates between elementary school-aged children (56.3%) and high school students (43.7%).
If we assume that parents want what’s best for their children, why then do they approve of youth gambling? On one hand, we have children and adolescents who gamble because they come from families with disrupted relationships, where parents or close relatives also gambled—exposing them to risky behavior from an early age. These children are often left to their own devices, to their peers, the streets, and various negative advertisements. On the other hand, some parents simply don’t see gambling as problematic due to a lack of knowledge—and in many cases, even encourage it. Many parents see no issue in playing games like bingo or raffle-style games at home with their children, where there’s “small money” or symbolic prizes involved. These are often seen as harmless family fun, but they can have unintended consequences—especially when they include betting elements.
Through such games, children internalize the idea that it’s acceptable to wager money on luck, which normalizes gambling behavior. While it may all seem harmless fun at first, it can be the first step toward developing an unhealthy relationship with money and gambling. Over time, young people may be tempted to play similar games outside the home, with higher stakes and greater risks—thus increasing the likelihood of developing gambling-related problems.
Gambling can have serious negative consequences for the psychosocial functioning of young people, especially given that adolescents are a high-risk group for developing gambling addiction. Gambling becomes a problem when individuals become preoccupied with betting and outcomes, wager more than they can afford, experience psychological and emotional distress, or begin to suffer in their relationships with others. Negative consequences include neglecting important responsibilities, lying to friends and family to hide gambling, and gambling often correlates with other risky behaviors, poor academic performance, and lower psychosocial adjustment.
For some young gamblers, gambling activities impact social aspects of life too—they might abandon previous hobbies to gamble, skip time with non-gambling friends in favor of those who gamble, or spend money meant for food, clothes, or entertainment on betting instead.
Studies show that a tendency toward gambling during adolescence increases the likelihood of continuing such behavior into adulthood. Many adults with gambling problems report having started as minors. In addition to physical betting shops, we must not ignore online games, which are accessible to youth at any time.
What Can Be Done? How to Prevent It
It’s important for parents to understand that even seemingly harmless games can influence children’s attitudes toward gambling. Instead of such games, parents should choose activities that build skills, teamwork, and creativity. Parents also need to educate themselves about the risks and consequences of gambling—and lead by positive example.
Parenting styles significantly influence how children grow up and what habits they develop. The authoritative style, which combines warmth and clear rules, has proven to be the healthiest—children raised this way tend to be confident, responsible, and less prone to risky behavior. In contrast, authoritarian, permissive, or neglectful parenting styles often lead to issues such as rebellion, egocentrism, or susceptibility to addiction—especially in the absence of closeness, supervision, and support.
Parents are advised to watch for signs of gambling in children, such as possession of betting slips, excessive tracking of sports scores, strange changes in the amount of money they have, asking for money without a clear reason, or selling personal items. More serious signs include theft, debt, and heightened tension. Most importantly, parents should talk openly with their children about games of chance and help develop a responsible attitude toward these adult-only activities.
To reduce gambling problems among youth, it is important to dispel myths that gambling is an easy way to earn money, that game outcomes are predictable, and that gambling success depends on knowledge and skill. Research shows that many young people believe these myths, which further encourages participation in gambling.
Young people need to be clearly informed that the chances of winning in games like bingo, lotto, or roulette are extremely low, and that results depend solely on luck. Schools and prevention programs should focus on developing critical thinking, a realistic understanding of gambling, and discouraging the idea of making money without effort. It’s also important to talk to children about the risks and harmful consequences gambling can have on their lives.
To Summarize—Who Is Responsible?
The government, for opening the door to betting shops and failing to protect children and youth? Absolutely.
But we cannot keep passing the blame while children are left waiting for someone to take care of them. We can’t eliminate all betting shops near schools and neighborhoods overnight—even though we should never stop fighting for that—but parents, you are responsible for your children. It’s time for you to take that responsibility—then the rest of us can follow. Because the damage gambling causes to children doesn’t wait for new laws or strategies. Let’s act while we still can make a difference.
Azra Halilović
