In recent years, there have been growing concerns over the increasing occurrence of teenage gambling problems. This is likely the results of availability and accessibility of legalized gambling. There is also evidence that gambling causes personal and financial difficulties in at least 2% of the adult population.

Peer models have been suggested as important etiological factors in the development of high-risk behavior including gambling. These findings indicate that there may be a relationship between gambling and other addictions as well as a strong social learning component involved in the acquisition of such behaviors.

Gambling activities have a social reinforcement. Gambling behaviors can be encouraged and strengthened by peers depending on the individual's developmental level and social status. From a social learning theory perspective individuals learn, acquire, and preserve with behaviors that are attractive and reinforcing. A social learning model of gambling behavior provides an explanation for why many youth are attracted to the gambling environment. Being known as a gambler or risk-taker gives a teenager the social recognition among his/her peers. Gambling becomes a form of an arcade for many young people today. It is a "hangout" activity where they can meet friends.

Studies suggest that gambling is more popular with males than females. The principal goal of this study was to examine the social influences involved in the gambling behavior of a typical teenager via interactive play. Given that modeling has been shown to be a strong learning component in teenagers, it is likely that it is also instrumental in the acquisition and maintenance of gambling behavior. The fact that gambling has many reinforcing qualities, especially those that are social in nature, makes gambling a very rewarding pastime. With the increase in adolescent gambling activities these notions are a vital concern.

The hypotheses of this study are: (1) group involvement will increase the betting patterns; (2) males will be more influential in gambling activities; and (3) males will wager more than females as they are greater risk-takers by nature.