Youth in the Trap of Gambling: Prevalence and Behavioural Patterns of Slovenian High School Students in Gambling

Simon Starček

Youth in the Trap of Gambling: Prevalence and Behavioural Patterns of Slovenian High School Students in Gambling

DOI: 10.62983/rn2865.25a.3

Keywords: youth, gambling, risky behaviour, k-means method

Abstract:
Gambling among adolescents is becoming an increasingly widespread phenomenon, driven by accessibility and the digitalization of gambling platforms. This study aims to examine the prevalence of gambling among Slovenian high school students and analyse key factors influencing their gambling behaviour. A survey conducted among 815 students revealed that 40.9% had engaged in gambling for money at least once in the past year, with male students being significantly more active than female students. Using the k-means clustering method, we classified students into three groups: active gamblers, curious players, and nongamblers. The results confirm that early exposure to gambling is a strong predictor of later gambling intensity. The observed correlation between gambling, lower academic achievement, and exposure to digital content highlights the need for regulation and preventive measures to protect adolescents from the risks associated with problematic gambling behaviour.