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!”