Could Biometrics be the Key to Stop Underage Betting?
Published:
Jan 23, 2026
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05:02 p.m.
ET
Underage sports betting is a growing concern across the United States that has coincided with the expansion of legal online wagering and mobile apps that make gambling easier to access than ever. In the nation’s largest legal sports betting market, New York, Governor Kathy Hochul is openly questioning whether current safeguards are strong enough. She recently signaled interest in biometric technology, such as facial recognition and thumbprint scanning, as a way to prevent minors from accessing sportsbook accounts.
Her proposal comes from the belief traditional identity checks are no longer sufficient at a time when accounts are shared, credentials are reused and technology evolves faster than regulation. It’s worth examining biometric verification’s potential, its pitfalls and why preventing underage betting is only one piece of a much larger public health challenge.
How could biometric technology help stop underage individuals from betting?
Some information can be easily borrowed or falsified, but biometric technology can eliminate this problem due to verifying identity based on unique physical characteristics. Unlike a name, address or date of birth, biometric data is tied directly to an individual’s body, making it far harder to misuse.
In the context of sports betting, biometrics could prevent, or at least make far more difficult, a common workaround used by underage bettors: logging into a parent’s, sibling’s or friend’s account. Sure, holding up a face scan ID to a parent’s face while they are sleeping or distracted is possible, but it is certainly more difficult and creates more friction. Simply knowing a password isn’t enough when access requires biometric confirmation.
Facial Recognition
Facial recognition systems analyze specific features of a person’s face and compare them to images on verified government IDs. Modern systems also include “liveness detection,” which confirms a real person is present rather than a photo or video.
For sportsbooks, facial recognition could be used both at account creation and during login or high-risk activity. This would make it significantly harder for someone under 21 to use an adult’s account, even with permission. New York regulators have noted an increase in minors accessing betting accounts through relatives.
That said, facial recognition raises valid concerns about privacy and misuse. Large-scale adoption requires strict oversight to ensure biometric data is protected and not repurposed beyond age and identity verification.
Thumprint Scanning
Like facial recognition, fingerprints are unique and difficult to replicate. Thumbprint verification could be integrated as another layer of confirmation into mobile apps, before bets are placed.
Fingerprint scanning is used on smartphones, but applying it to gambling accounts still requires standards around consent and security. Thumbprint scanning likely reduces account sharing, but could be most effective as a function within a broader, multi-layered system.
What technology is already used to confirm identities of bettors?
Most regulated sportsbooks already use advanced identity verification tools. Document uploads, database cross-checks and automated fraud detection, powered by AI, are typically deployed.
These systems analyze government-issued IDs, compare them to selfies and cross-reference personal information against multiple databases within minutes. These tools speed up onboarding while helping operators meet regulatory demands.
Once an account is approved, however, ongoing identity checks are often minimal. Underage access can slip through when accounts are shared within households.
What does the KYC (Know Your Customer) process entail for online sports bettors in the United States?
KYC requirements are designed to confirm that bettors are who they say they are and meet legal age requirements. In the U.S., this typically includes verifying name, date of birth, address and government ID.
Automated KYC systems also screen for fraud and money laundering. KYC processes are not foolproof though because they rely heavily on static information, which can be manipulated by tech-savvy teens and young adults.
Biometric verification is a shift from static data to continuous, identity-based confirmation, potentially closing one of the most common loopholes in underage betting.
How are underage kids betting in America?
College students under 21 often bet through friends’ accounts, offshore sportsbooks, daily fantasy sports platforms or states with lower age minimums. Gambling’s normalization and low-risk promise is evident through pervasive advertising and peer influence.
High school students face even fewer barriers on unregulated or offshore platforms. Research shows that millions of teens and young adults gamble each year, and early exposure significantly increases the risk of developing gambling problems later in life. Technology alone cannot address the social and developmental factors that drive this behavior, but stronger verification could reduce access at critical points.
Gambling addiction treatment options
Preventing underage betting is essential, but it does not eliminate the need for effective treatment when gambling becomes harmful. Many young people who gain early access to betting develop patterns that follow them throughout life.
Birches Health understands the challenges of gambling addiction and focuses on helping individuals regain control of their lives. Care is designed to address the psychological and practical consequences that come with this addiction.
Clinician-led online group therapy, a structured and supportive environment where individuals can build accountability, is also offered. When combined with individual therapy, this approach can support long-term recovery in a confidential, accessible format.
If you or someone you love is struggling with gambling, specialized treatment is available now.
Book an appointment online.
Call 833-483-3838
Email help@bircheshealth.com
