Youth Gambling

According to the American Psychiatric Association, 10 to 15% of young people asked have significant gambling problems; 6% of the teens who have tried gambling have become pathological gamblers.

• On average, problem gamblers say they began gambling at about 10 years of age
• The age of onset for gambling has dropped so that now, throughout America, the majority of 12-year-olds have already gambled (Jacobs, 2000)
• Studies of young people over the last 10 years report that about 8% of adolescents, 12 to 17 years old, can be considered problem gamblers. Further, approximately 15% of youths were considered to be at risk of developing problems with gambling.
• In a powerful illustration of the importance of the 'age of onset' as a risk factor for problem gambling; a Minnesota study showed 60% of high school students who are problem gamblers had gambled in the 6th grade or before. The same study showed there were NO problem gamblers among those who first gambled in the 12th grade (Winters, 1990)

Click this link to take an online self-exam. This brief questionnaire can help you determine if you have a gambling problem.

Tips For Talking to Your Kids about Gambling

• Let them know gambling isn’t a way to make easy money. "Professional poker player" is about as likely as a career as an NFL player.
• Teach them about odds.
• Teach them the serious consequences of problem gambling.
• Look for a time to bring up the topic naturally. Bring it up when running across a poker show on TV, or finding out that a friend or family member has won or lost money gambling.
• When you talk to your kids about drugs or alcohol, include problem gambling in "the conversation."
• Convey to your kids the role of gambling in your own life. If you choose to gamble, make sure it is from a conscious, informed position. Share the guidelines you observe when you gamble.
• Ask questions and listen.
• Be patient.

Reasons Why Youths May Gamble

• Escape Problems
• Loneliness, depression or boredom
• Peer pressure
• Think it is a quick way to get rich
• To impress others
• To be the center of attention
• Think of it as a way to make friends
• Winning provides an instant, temporary boost of confidence

Possible Youth Gambling Indicators

• Carries or possess gambling materials - dice, playing cards, casino chips, lottery tickets, sports betting sheets, etc
• Experiences mood swings that seem to be related to gambling wins and losses
• Pays more attention than normal to sports scores; may become agitated over certain game results
• Neglects relationships, responsibilities and favorite activities
• Says gambling is an easy way to make money
• Uses money meant for necessary items (lunch, books, bus fare, etc.) for gambling
• Lies to family and friends
• Unexplained absences from school.
• Sudden drop in grades.
• Changes in personality (irritability, impatience, criticism, or sarcasm).
• Large amounts of money in their possession; bragging about gambling wins.
• Shows an unusual interest in newspapers, magazine or periodicals having to do with sports, horse racing, etc.
• Intense interest in gambling conversations.
• Exaggerated display of money or other material possessions (car, clothes, jewelry).
• Gambling language in their conversation (5-timer, bookie, loan shark, point spread, underdog, favorite, etc.).
• Exaggerated use of the word "bet" in their vocabulary.
• Illegal acts to pay or gamble more, including: stealing or shoplifting, selling drugs or bookmaking, embezzling or employer theft, family theft.

Prevalence of Youth Gambling:
A recent study by Louisiana State University Professor James Westphal surveyed 12,000 adolescents and found that:

• 86% had gambled, including many on legal forms
• 32% on lotteries
• 24% on video poker
• 16% on slot machines, and
• One in Ten had bet on horse or dog racing
• In 1991, Atlantic City casinos refused entry to approximately 194,000 underage gamblers. However, over 21,000 had to be removed from the casino floor. (www.800gambler.org)

Consequences of Youth Gambling:

• Three times more likely to drink alcohol
• Four times more likely to smoke
• Twice as likely to use marijuana
• Twice as likely to use other illegal drugs
• Four times as likely to get in trouble with the police
• Three times as likely to be involved in a gang fight

For Youths: Ask Yourself or Your Friends these Questions.

• Do you think gambling is the most exciting activity you do?
• Do you often spend your free time involved in gambling activities?
• Do you try to prevent your family and friends from knowing how much you gamble?
• Do your friends gamble? Are you considered part of the "gambling crowd?"
• Do you often daydream about gambling?
• Do you often gamble during lunch breaks, recess, after school hours, or on weekends?
• Do you miss school or other important events due to gambling activities?
• Do you often dream of solving your problems by making a big win?
• Do you ever lie about whether you gamble or how much you lose?
• Is gambling the main source of what you do to feel good about yourself?
• Do you gamble alone?
• Do you gamble with money that is supposed to be used for other reasons like lunch, bus fare, or clothes?
• Have you ever borrowed money to gamble?
• Have you ever stolen money or property in order to gamble or pay gambling debts?
• Do you get upset or irritable if you are unable to gamble?
• Do you most want to gamble when you are upset?
• Do you often feel sad or guilty because you lost money gambling?
• Is it hard for you to stop gambling after you lose money?
• Do you often gamble longer than you wanted to and lose more money than you intended?
• When gambling, do you tend to lose track of time or forget about everything else?
• Do you find that thinking about gambling makes it hard for you to do school work?

There are common signs and symptoms that most adolescent problem gamblers exhibit. According to the National American Training Institute, if you can answer TRUE to even a few of the following statements, it may be time to look for help for a possible gambling problem. Visit the Get Help section of this web site to find additional information and resources.