Much has been written in the past few years about teenage use of and addiction to drugs and alcohol, but only recently has teenage gambling been added to the list of adolescent difficulties. The problem seems to have been growing gradually as the various forms of gambling have become legal throughout North America. The introduction of state and provincial lotteries as a source of government and charitable funding has gradually given way to a wide variety of legal gambling, including video lottery (slot) machines, sports betting and big money bingo. Only recently has the devastating effects of these activities on some adults become known, so it is not surprising that the effects of the easy availability of gambling on teenagers have not been recognized earlier.
Over the past five years a number of studies have been done on the extent and effects of teenage gambling. The early studies, while very thorough in design, did not get the attention they deserved, perhaps because they were published in academic journals and not in the popular media. However, as the weight of evidence has accumulated, the problem has finally reached the attention of the public.
Generally the research indicates that over 50% of teenagers gamble in one form or another, with between 5% and 7% admitting to being problem gamblers. These gambling activities include cards, lottery tickets, sports pools, sports lottery tickets (really sports betting) and bingo, although the older teenagers also indulged in video gambling and even casino gambling where these are present. These figures should cause most parents to gasp as they indicate that gambling is a major presence among the majority of teens and therefore has the potential to lead to major problems if the gaming reaches the addiction level. Even if it doesn’t get to these levels, is gambling really an activity that we want to encourage in our youth?
It is obvious from these figures that parents need to take vigorous steps to ensure that their teens are not spending their money trying to beat the odds. To begin with they need to set a good example themselves. If they expect their teens will not gamble, then it is best to not do so themselves. Next they need to talk to their teens about gambling, whenever the opportunity arises (watching Las Vegas together would be one way to ensure the subject comes up). Parents need to let their teens know that they do not approve of this activity and will not condone it. Finally, if they suspect that their teen is gambling, then parents should consult with experts in the field - such as Gamblers Anonymous - and determine what steps are necessary to help their teen through this crisis.
Problem gambling cannot be hidden from parents if they are paying attention. By spending time with their teens and knowing what is going on in their lives, parents can head off problems such as gambling before they reach the addiction level.