Making Better Choices Regarding Gambling Activities

Preventing Compulsive Gambling Addiction

Adolescents and Gambling

Why do some adolescents get into gambling?

• Someone else in the family gambles
• Problems at home
• Low self-esteem
• Peer pressure
• The "action" of the game
• Loneliness/boredom
• Competition
• To win money
• To gain attention from peers

What are the warning signs of problem gambling in young people?

• Unexplained absences from school
• Grades dropping
• Asking for/borrowing money from peers
• Large amounts of money in the person's possession
• Intense interest in gambling conversations
• Behavior change
• Use of a lot of gambling "lingo"
• Selling personal belongings
• Bragging about winning
• Lying, cheating and stealing

Is there really a problem in New York State with youth gambling?

Yes! The New York State Office of of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) conducted a  school survey in the spring of 2006. The focus of the survey was on gambling behavior and problems. Almost three quarters (72%) of students in grades 7-12 engaged in at least one gambling activity in the past year. One-third (34%) have gambled in the past month while one-in-eight (12%) gambled four or more times in the past month.  Over 40% of students in grades 7-12 played the lottery at lest once in the past year.  While the lottery was the activity engaged in by the greatest proportion of students, playing cards for money was the activity engaged in most frequently: 8% of students played cards for money on 20 or more days in the past year.

Do young people get addicted to gambling?

Yes! Approximately 10% of students in grades 7-12 have experienced problem gambling in the past year and may need treatment services. An addition 10% of students may be at risk of developing problem gambling. Among students experiencing problem gambling, playing cards for money was the most frequent activity, followed by playing pool, basketball or other games for money.

Do young people with other addictions often have gambling addictions too?

Yes! Of those students in grades 7-12 who are in need of chemical dependence treatment services, 28% also experienced problem gambling in the past year.