adolescent problem gambling

 signs and symptoms
 favorite types of gambling
 warning signs: questions for teens
 statistics and research
 negative impact and problematic behaviors
 characteristics of adolescent problem gamblers
 risk and protective factors
 early signs of risk behavior

By educating your child about the importance of budgeting, and the pitfalls of incurring debt, they will be less likely to look to income sources such as gambling. You can help by telling your young adult that gambling is a risk.

Financial First Steps 

YouTube - Teen Gambling: It's a Risky Deal 

signs and symptoms

• Excessive need for money

• Money / possessions missing

• Skipping school / classes

• Loss of interest in activities

• Isolation

• Overly upset at outcome of game

• Preoccupation with sporting events

• Academic problems

• Large amounts of unexplained money

• Use of betting jargon

• Change in friends

• Interest in teams with no allegiance

• 900 phone numbers (tip line)

• Irritable

• Argumentative

• Online poker sites

• Lying

favorite types of gambling

• Card games (especially Texas Hold’em poker)

• Sports betting

• Lottery tickets

• Internet gambling

• Video games

problem gambling warning signs: questions for teens

1. Is gambling the most exciting activity in your life?

2. Do you miss school, activities, or other events due to gambling?

3. Has anyone expressed concern about your gambling?

4. Do you lie to your friends or family about your gambling?

5. Do you borrow money to gamble?

6. Have you stolen from your family, friends, or employer to gamble or pay back gambling debts?

7. Have you gambled with money that was to be used for another purpose (such as lunch, activities, or clothes)?

8. After losing, do you try to win your money back by more gambling?

9. Are you preoccupied with thoughts of gambling?

10. Have you tried to stop gambling but can’t?

If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, you may have a gambling problem!

Concerned teens can call the HELPLINE, an information and referral service provided by the New York Council on Problem Gambling. The HELPLINE is confidential and free, and counselors are available 24 hours a day.

HELPLINE 1-800-437-1611

Local help 716-664-3608

get help 

Information provided by Lane County Health & Human Services, Eugene, Oregon.

statistics and research

This information is provided by the New York Council on Problem Gambling. The purpose of the report was to examine the prevalence of gambling related problems among adolescents in New York State.

Findings

• 86% of adolescents in NY said they had bet on one or more types of gambling at some time. 75% had gambled in the past year and 15% had bet on a weekly basis.

• Favorite types of gambling were cards, dice or domino games, games of skill, sports events and the lottery.

• Nearly one-third of adolescent respondents have purchased lottery tickets despite restrictions on underage gambling.

• 9% had been able to wager at horse races.

• 6% had participated in Quick Draw.

• 5% had gambled at a casino.

• Adolescent in NY reported spending 30% more than adults reported spending on gambling.

• Males are more likely to gamble than females.

• Gambling strongly associated with adolescent employment.

• Adolescents who work 10 or more hours a week and earn $50 or more a week are more likely to gamble.

• 25% of adolescent gamblers started gambling with a family member.

• Increase in gambling directly correlated with increase in alcohol, drug and tobacco use.

• 2.4% of adolescent gamblers gambled compulsively.

• Another 14% were classified as gamblers at risk for developing problems

• Based on prevalence rates, between 15,000 and 41,000 adolescents in New York had experienced severe problems as a result of gambling.

• Between 135,000 and 193,000 adolescents had experienced difficulties as a result of gambling.

• At-risk adolescent problem gamblers were more likely to have parent who gambled.

• At-risk and problem gamblers were more likely to have lost $50 or more in a gambling session than non-problem gamblers.

• Problem gamblers were more likely to borrow money and admitted to not having paid back the money borrowed.

• Problem gamblers were more likely to have stolen money from parents or sold personal property to get money to gamble or pay gambling debts.

• Adolescents represent 7% of total population of New York, but they also represent 11% of all New York residents who have severe gambling related problems.

Information provided by the New York Council on Problem Gambling.

negative impact and other problematic behaviors associated with adolescent problem gambling

• Adolescent problem gambling has been shown to result in increased delinquency and crime.

• Adolescent problem gamblers whose parents gambled excessively had twice the number of problems with the law.

• Adolescent problem gamblers have twice the attempted suicide rate than their non-problem gambling classmates.

• Adolescent problem gamblers are more likely to develop problem in other areas such as alcohol, drug or tobacco related problems.

• Adolescent problem gamblers who also have an alcohol or drug dependence report that the gambling addiction is more difficult to stop.

• The early onset of adolescent gambling in the U.S. now exceeds the expected onset for their use of cigarettes, hard liquor and marijuana.

characteristics of adolescent problem gamblers

• Parents who gamble

• Peers who gamble

• Low self-esteem

• High risk behaviors

• Family problems

• Escape from reality

• Poor coping skills

• Poor decision making skills

• Problems at school – academic or behavior

risk and protective factors

Risk Factors

• Alcoholism or gambling in family

• Early onset of gambling

• Early “Big” win

• Low self-esteem

• Hyperactivity

• Overemphasis on money and competition

• Depression

• Academic and behavioral problems at school

Protective Factors

• Parental involvement

• Parental monitoring

• High self-esteem

• Self-control

• Resiliency

• Positive attitude toward school

• Involvement in school, church and community groups

• Positive role model outside of family

• Clear and consistent rules in family

• Drug, alcohol and tobacco free

early signs of risk behavior

• Aggressive behavior

• Lack of self-control

• Difficult temperament

• Inability to get along with other children