NYC Teens Gamble with Bar Mitzvah Money as Addiction Rises

High school boys in the Manhattan area are increasingly using funds from their bar mitzvahs to gamble, reflecting a troubling rise in sports betting addiction among teenagers. Max, a 17-year-old student, shared that his annual Super Bowl party took a somber turn this year, as the focus shifted from camaraderie to betting. “It used to be for the experience, but this year it wasn’t,” he told The Post. “It was everybody betting on the game… I realized sports betting was becoming an addiction among my friends.”

The issue has escalated despite the legal betting age in New York being set at 18. According to the New York Council on Problem Gambling, over 90% of high school students reported having gambled at least once within the past year. Max estimates that around 80% of his male classmates have placed a bet, with about 40% doing so regularly, often using their parents’ accounts. “Kids take money out of savings accounts or bar mitzvah accounts for betting,” he noted, highlighting the extent of the problem.

Max’s father, who works in finance, admitted to facilitating his son’s access to gambling by allowing him to use a FanDuel account registered under his name. “We’d be saying, ‘Oh, yeah, it’s not a big deal,’” he recalled. “It was something that he and his friends were all doing.” While Max claims to be cautious with small bets, he acknowledges that many of his friends are “100% addicted.”

Gambling apps like FanDuel and DraftKings are popular among students. Max described a typical school environment where classmates engage with betting applications even during lessons. “At school, it’s all kids with their gambling apps in class,” he observed. With the youngest gambler he knows being just 11 years old, the trend appears to be infiltrating even younger demographics.

Keith Whyte, President of Safer Gambling Strategies, highlighted the concerning statistics regarding teenage participation in online sports betting. He noted that 5% of kids aged 12-17 exhibit gambling problems, a figure that has quadrupled over the past two years. “The part of their brain that governs risk and reward and decision-making is not fully matured,” Whyte stated. The combination of easy access to gambling and the lack of regulation creates a precarious situation for teens.

Max’s father likened gambling to a form of kryptonite for teenage boys, suggesting that they often believe they possess a skill or knowledge that enables them to succeed. “They feel like they’re smarter than adults, they can figure this out,” he explained. This mindset, he suspects, is understood by the creators of these betting apps, who he believes are targeting young users.

In response to growing concerns, a spokesperson for FanDuel emphasized that allowing others to wager on one’s account is strictly prohibited and can result in a permanent ban. The company also highlighted its parental portal, Conversations about Betting, which aims to educate parents on the dangers of underage gambling. Nevertheless, sources indicate that some teenagers circumvent restrictions by using VPNs and cryptocurrency to access unregulated websites.

James, a 17-year-old from New Jersey, shared his experience of accessing FanDuel without his parents’ knowledge. “It was easy to access a FanDuel account thanks to a family friend,” he recalled. Initially drawn to the platform by the allure of potential winnings, James soon found himself engaging in online casino games, which he described as addictive. “Once I moved over to the casino thing, that’s when it became an addiction,” he admitted.

Over two years, James reported betting over $18,000, resulting in a net loss of $2,000. He ultimately decided to quit after realizing his bank statements were dominated by gambling transactions, leading to stress rather than enjoyment.

Attorney Benjamin Schenk, representing individuals in a lawsuit against online gambling companies, revealed alarming cases of addiction among minors. “The youngest complainant so far is 12,” he stated, warning of the negative impacts on mental health, including self-harm among youth who experience gambling-related losses. Schenk noted that children are increasingly influenced by gambling culture on platforms like Twitch, where gambling is often glamorized.

The issue extends beyond the United States. Lewis Bigmore, who began betting at 16 in the UK, shared his experience of winning a significant sum under his father’s name, only to develop an addiction that led him to take out payday loans. “I never spoke to anyone because that was an uncomfortable conversation,” he reflected on his struggles.

Isaac Rose-Berman, a professional sports bettor, has begun addressing teenage boys about the reality of gambling. “I tell them, ‘Look, I hire PhDs to run my models. You’re not doing that,’” he explained. He sees a concerning trend in schools, noting that advertisements for betting companies normalize the activity among youth.

In response to the growing crisis, the office of the Massachusetts Attorney General has opened an investigation into the harms of youth gambling, while Virginia has enacted a law mandating gambling addiction education in schools. Despite these efforts, a recent poll from the University of Michigan revealed that only 2% of American parents believe their teen has used an online betting platform.

Schenk urges parents to reassess their perceptions. “If you think your kid isn’t engaging in this behavior, really question yourself,” he advised, emphasizing the disconnect between parental awareness and the realities faced by teenagers today.