Adolescents represent our future, and it’s extremely important for these young men and women to recognize that making seemingly harmless choices made early in life can have drastic consequences in the future. A recent survey showed that one-in-five(21%) teenagers, overall, say they have friends who spend too much time gambling and placing bets, this rate doubles (40%) among 18 year olds. While 35% of teens admit to gambling in the past year, only 25% of parents said their teenage son or daughter had gambled during the same period.
Parents and teens should heed the facts, risk factors and warning signs that are associated with problem gambling behavior.
Facts
• 14% of New York’s youth are at risk for developing problems due to gambling.
• Most adolescents are introduced to gambling by a parent or adult close to them.
• Adolescents may gamble to make themselves feel important or as a way to increase their self esteem
Risks Factors
• Starting to gamble at an early age.
• Favorable attitude towards gambling among parents and peers.
• Having friends who gamble
• Family history of a gambling problem.
Warning signs
• Unexplained absences from school.
• Grades dropping.
• Stealing of money to gamble.
• Preoccupation with gambling.
• Lying, cheating or stealing.
• Displays large amounts of money and other material possessions.
As parents won’t you help to promote March 7-13 as National Gambling Awareness Week by heeding these Facts, Risk Factors and Warning signs and helping to keep our children’s futures bright. For more information contact the Steuben Council on Addictions (607)-776-6441.
James M. Bassage
Prevention Director
Steuben Council on Addictions
