North Macedonia youth gambling rates rise among 15-16 year olds

According to the ESPAD 2024 national research, 25% of students aged 15 to 16 in North Macedonia have gambled for money within the last 12 months. The data shows a gender disparity, with 34% of boys and 16% of girls participating in gambling activities.

Youth groups, including HERA Youth and the “Gjuaje zarin!” initiative, have raised alarms regarding the normalization of gambling through casinos, betting shops, and online platforms. They noted that the rate of problematic gambling among students has increased from 4.5% in 2019 to 7.6% in 2024.

Activists link this trend to broader socio-economic challenges, such as high youth unemployment (23.6%) and financial insecurity. They emphasize that gambling is a public health issue, citing World Health Organization warnings regarding its links to debt, depression, anxiety, and increased suicide risks. The groups are calling for stricter controls on betting shops near schools, limitations on gambling advertisements, and the integration of financial education and mental health support into the school curriculum.