Responsible Giving

by Sasha C. Russell, Program Specialist - Communications, The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling











The 2013 holiday season marks the 6^th year of the National Council on Compulsive Gambling’s (NCPG) campaign to encourage people to give responsibly. Every year people in the field of problem gambling, as well as some state lotteries, come together to promote responsible gifting and encourage communities to not give lottery tickets to minors.

The North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) unanimously approved a resolution encouraging participation in the Holiday Campaign. Keith Whyte, Executive Director of the NCPG stated, “The unanimous endorsement of the campaign by NASPL is a significant step that sends a strong signal across the entire gaming industry. We believe responsible gaming is a positive approach to minimizing gambling-related harm and therefore maximizing public benefit. We are proud to work with NASPL and look forward to additional partnership opportunities.”

For more information about the importance of gifting responsibly, please check out our blog from last year, “Give Responsibly. Lottery Tickets Aren’t Child’s Play.”

As the gift-giving season approaches, many people look to scratch ticket games as a quick, easy and “fun” gift to give to people of all ages. According to the Massachusetts Lottery fiscal year 2011 financial report (found here), they made a revenue of over $3 billion on instant games alone. While these games may seem harmless and fun for all ages, it is important to adhere to the law and not give those under 18 this type of gift. According to McGill University’s International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems website (youthgambling.com), retrospective studies have shown that “adult problem gamblers reported an earlier onset of gambling.” The starting age range varies only slightly between different studies, but they all seem to cover at least the 9-19 year old as the starting range for people at high risk for having problems with gambling.

Many people do not see the dangers that gambling at a young age can bring, as it has become common and accepted in our society. It is so widely accepted that it is even in our daily vocabulary without even realizing it. Take a moment to think about how many times a day you say, or hear someone else say, “I bet you...” or “What are the odds of that?” or “You’re a winner!”

Living in a competitive world makes it easy to say those phrases without thinking of the negative consequences they can impose. This is why, especially around the holidays, people don’t think twice about buying their children or nieces and nephews a scratch ticket with a friendly looking snowman, or other welcoming design, on it. I know that was one of my favorite parts of Christmas. We would head down to my grandparents’ house and on their tree would be envelopes marked with the names of most people in the family. Even the adults couldn’t wait to open their presents because they knew what was in the envelope: a chance to be a winner; to have bragging rights that Christmas. Of course, if someone did win a small sum of money, depending on who gave the scratch tickets, the winnings were expected to be split – even in some cases given back! Fights would always ensue, and I eventually got “smart” and if I did win, I’d quietly put my ticket in my bag of toys for later to show my mom in private.

Secrecy is a major component of being a problem gambler, and if someone is taught to act that way at a young age, how will that influence them as adults? The Youth Gambling Problems website says that studies in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Europe and Australia have all “noted rising prevalence rates of youth involvement in both legal and illegal forms of gambling. While approximately 60% of adolescents report having gambled for money during the past year, 4-6% of adolescents presently have a serious gambling problem with another 10-14% of adolescents at-risk for developing a serious gambling problem.” 

The Youth Gambling Problems website also describes negative consequences that are associated with adolescent problem gambling. Problematic gambling has been linked with increased delinquency, criminal behavior and the disruption of relationships with family, friends and other peers. Dr. Mark Griffiths told the audience at the CT Council’s Annual Conference that when it comes to young people gambling, the loss tends to be more related to time than money. This loss of time and preoccupation with gambling affects overall school performance and work activities. However, many times the loss of relationships also occurs. The Council’s own Teens Know Your Limits website (TKYL) is a great resource to help teach young people about responsible, legalized gambling. 

All in all, we wish everyone to have a safe and healthy holiday season. In support with The International Center for Youth Gambling Problems at McGill University (Canada), the National Council on problem Gambling (US) and the Massachusetts State Lottery, we ask you to help us lower the risk of children becoming problem gamblers and “Keep the fun in the holidays – don’t purchase lottery tickets as gifts for underage children!”

What the Council Gave Me

 

By Sean Crowley, Communications Intern, Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I expected to make a positive impact while interning at a non-profit, and although I did, what the Council gave back to me was tremendous. Over the past four months interning at the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling I have worked with the most dedicated, caring people I have ever met. From day one in September, to my last in December, I have contributed all I can to the Council. Through that I gained experience and connections that I will take with me throughout my career.  

Interns always have this fear that they will be treated as free laborers and forced to make coffee runs for employees. Despite the stereotype, I was treated as an equal at the Council. I felt like I was one of their own from day one and was given challenging and engaging tasks. Over my tenure at the Council, I worked on the weekly e-newsletter, developed an intranet as part of my main internship project, and much more. 

 

The entire staff at the Council was always engaged and interested in the projects I worked on, especially the intranet. As a main internship project (that all interns do here), I developed an intranet to improve communication and collaboration within the organization. I believe the intranet will help the Council as they expand and continue to reduce the social, financial and emotional costs of problem gambling.

Along with the projects I worked on, I was included in all of the Council’s events. I had the privilege of going to the State House to attend the Council’s Legislative Briefing that was given to state representatives and various media outlets, about the gambling behaviors across the Commonwealth. In addition to professional events, I was also included in meetings, the Holiday Party, and other events.

The time went by fast, and I’ll miss everyone at the Council. I want to thank everyone here for an amazing four months. While I hope that my work made its mark, I feel selfish because of how much the Council did for me.

Coming SOON: Mass. Council PSA

By Thalia Yunen, Communications Intern, Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling

Today is my last day as a Communications Intern for the Mass. Council. The last six months here have flown by way too quickly. I can’t say that I’m sad, because I’m actually happy! Not because I’m leaving, but because I feel as if I’ve used my time here wisely, and have learned a great deal about public relations. In this time, I’ve gotten the chance to work on some great projects, and have helped to facilitate internal and external communications at the Council while having the opportunity to participate in communications outreach.

In retrospect, I’ve really enjoyed responsibilities like managing our social media calendar, training on the helpline, researching and writing for the Council’s blog, as well as attending numerous brainstorming and branding meetings for upcoming projects. After working with the Communications Department for a few months, I knew that I wanted to contribute something to the Council before my internship was over. After a brainstorming session with members of the Council about how to improve our communications outreach and awareness of our helpline, we came up with the idea of making a public service announcement (PSA) that addresses the issue of gambling disorder. I knew this would be a great way to call attention to the issues surrounding problem gambling.

Immediately I thought to contact the Suffolk University Film Club to see if anyone would be interested in coordinating with me on this project. Seniors Grace Agosto and Hannah Tavares immediately showed interest in the project. I imagined the video centering on a father/son relationship, when I followed up with Grace I found we were both on the same page. Grace thought of the central theme for the PSA, “There are games you shouldn’t miss.”

was a relatively easy creative process, although when making films there is much to account for: script, casting, location, equipment, etc. Council Senior Director of Programs and Services, Victor Ortiz, suggested we make the PSA in both English and Spanish. I thought this was an excellent idea. Actually – that’s an understatement. It was thrilling to think about producing a video in both languages. From there, Grace and I discussed a possible voiceover component to the video, so that when the filming and editing process was done, we could end up with two videos: one in English and Spanish.

We filmed the PSA on the weekend of November 22, one of the coldest weekends of the Fall! The weather was not cooperating with our vision, it was very windy and even too sunny. Despite the weather, our 13-year-old actor, Jorge Martinez, was a trooper. He plowed through the scenes with the icy wind in his face, and with curious people watching.

You can expect to view the PSA by the end of this year, along with an in-depth interview with Grace and Hannah. Keep checking our social media accounts for updates. If you don’t already, “Like” us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: MassCouncilCG,

I personally hope that with the production of this PSA and after interning here for six months, that my contributions will be felt. If only one person looks at this public service announcement or sees any of our communications materials and feels compelled to seek help by reaching out to the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling, then I will be content.