Nearly 40% of Upper Secondary School Students in Iceland Gambled Over the Past Year

Around 37% of students under the age of 18 in Iceland gambled at least once in the past year, according to the Icelandic Youth Survey conducted by the University of Iceland. A total of 2,288 people took part in the survey.

Among upper secondary school students, the figure was around 40%.

This category includes both minors and adults. In Iceland’s education system, upper secondary school follows compulsory education and is usually attended by teenagers and young adults aged roughly 16 to 19.

The gender gap was particularly clear. Among underage boys, 44.4% said they had gambled in the past year, compared with around 28% of girls. Among students aged 18 and over, the share of men who had gambled reached almost 55%.

Online slots were the most popular form of gambling, cited by 15% of respondents. They were followed by scratchcards, bingo, poker, online betting and online casino games.

The authors of the study suggest that high levels of gambling among teenagers may be linked to the accessibility of online platforms and a decline in youth wellbeing. The survey also found an increase in the number of students who often feel lonely or struggle to communicate with their peers. In this context, online gambling may serve as a coping mechanism and seek quick emotional stimulation.