Young adults are taking on increasingly higher gambling risks, with nearly half of gamblers between the ages of 18 and 24 saying that they have bet more than they could afford to lose.

According to a new study from the United Kingdom, 42% of young adults who had gambled in the past 12 months reported taking a financial risk to bet, and 36% said they had either borrowed money or sold possessions to gamble.

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The study of U.K. residents was conducted by Ipsos and commissioned by advocacy organization GambleAware, which describes itself as the "strategic commissioner of gambling harm education."

The CEO of GambleAware, Zoe Osmond, said that gambling is "a serious public health threat" and is growing.

A majority of gamblers in the study reported feelings of guilt or shame about their behavior, while 39% said they had experienced mental health problems due to gambling.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, between 10% and 15% of teenagers and young adults have a significant gambling problem, compared to less than 4% of older adults.

In the United States, approximately 8% of adolescents between 12 and 17 years old could be considered problem gamblers, with the average age of starting to gamble being about 10 years old.

Gambling problems were considered an impulse control disorder until 2013 when it was reclassified as an addiction. Researchers are still attempting to document the neurological changes gambling might make to the brain.

Like substance misuse disorders, gambling addictions are associated with individuals developing an increased tolerance that requires more gambling over time to feel satisfied. Withdrawal symptoms are also common if an individual tries to quit.

"As a hidden addiction, gambling harms can be incredibly hard to spot from the outside," said Osmond. "It is therefore critical that people impacted are aware of the wide range of support services available, and that they feel safe to come forward."

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The majority of young adult and teenage gamblers play online games, making the behavior much easier to conceal.

“Anyone can be impacted by gambling harms, but the first step is to open up and have that first conversation, ideally as early as possible," said Osmond.