Schoolboy, 13, blows £80,000 gambling online after using his father's business credit cards to fund his addiction
- Lancashire teen became hooked on gambling after seeing advert at Wembley
- Took pictures of cards on his phone and created accounts in his father's name
- His story comes as new figures reveal 25,000 kids aged 11-16 are betting addicts
A 13-year-old schoolboy blew £80,000 gambling online using his father's business credit cards to fund his addiction.
The youngster, from Lancashire, started placing bets after seeing adverts for online bookmakers while watching a football match at Wembley.
He took pictures of cards on his mobile phone and set up a betting account using his company director father's identity.
He became addicted to sports gambling, placing hundreds of bets a week on football matches and horses, staking as much as £3,000 each time.
![A 13-year-old schoolboy blew £80,000 gambling online using his father's work credit cards](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/03/01/4CDBE85F00000578-5799501-image-m-44_1527987144134.jpg)
A 13-year-old schoolboy blew £80,000 gambling online using his father's work credit cards
The teen told the Mirror: 'I had no idea that gambling could be an addiction like smoking, drinking or drugs. It seemed like fun and I thought I would make money too.
'It was just far too easy. I just had to put in dad's name, address, date of birth and card details and checked a box saying I was 18 – it took literally seconds to register and start gambling.'
He had to see a psychotherapist to help curb his addiction after it almost tore the family apart.
![The youngster started placing bets after seeing adverts for online bookmakers while watching a football match at Wembley](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/06/03/01/4CDBE88700000578-5799501-image-a-43_1527987141980.jpg)
The youngster started placing bets after seeing adverts for online bookmakers while watching a football match at Wembley
The boy's story comes as new Government figures reveal 25,000 children aged 11-16 are addicted to gambling.
MPs are calling for tighter advertising regulations to prevent child gambling.
The number of 16-year-olds hooked on gambling has risen by a third in the last three years, according to Government regulator the Gambling Commission.
Most watched News videos
- Drone footage shows scale of Tommy Robinson rally in London
- Home Sec 'deeply concerned' after stabbing incident in Southport
- Moment BBC break news about ex-presenter Huw Edwards
- New CCTV footage reveals what triggered Manchester Airport violence
- 'Superhero' schoolboy saves neighbour's van from rolling down a hill
- Migrant shouts 'this is for Rishi Sunak' as dinghy leaves France
- 'F*** off!': Passengers step over eco-mob blocking Gatwick departures
- Aerials show scale of stabbing scene in Southport
- Police say two children dead and six critical following 'horror movie' stabbings
- Doorbell footage shows masked man shortly before Southport attack
- Ex-chancellor: Pensioners will feel betrayed over fuel allowance cut
- Terrified couple's home left in shocking state by ravenous rats