Gambling operators’ advertising practices are likely to come under renewed attack following the results of a new UK Gambling Commission survey of youth gambling.

The survey (viewable in full here) involved a representative sample of 2,411 children aged 11-15 in England and Wales. Some 16% of kids reported spending money on some form of gambling in the past week, within the 15-17% range of the past three years, and well down from 2011’s high of 23%.

The most popular form of kid gambling was a tie between fruit machines in arcades and clubs, and private wagers between friends, each of which netted a 5% score. Playing card with friends and buying National Lottery scratchcards tied for second at 4%. The National Lottery’s main draw scored 3%, while bingo at bingo clubs scored 2%.

The following categories each reported 1% participation: other gambling machines, personally placing a bet at a betting shop or playing a shop’s gaming machines, gambling online and other National Lottery games (including online instant win games).