Youth Gambling

Youth Gambling
Adolescents with Gambling Problems...
Warning Signs
Research and Resources

Possible warning signs of adolescent problem gambling...

• Spends large amounts of time gambling.
• Begins to place larger and more frequent bets.
• "Chases" losses (returns to gambling activities to win back money lost).
• Has growing debts.
• Pins hopes on the "big win."
• Refuses to explain behaviour or lies about it.
• Has frequent emotional highs and lows (mood swings).
• Boasts about winning, and talks about gambling.
• Prefers gambling to other activities.
• Seeks to gamble with friends and/or parents.
• Appears "spaced out" while gambling.
• Repeatedly seeks new places and venues to gamble.
• Shows an interest in parent's or siblings' gambling activities.
• Asks parents to place bets for them.
• Is interested in picking 6/49 numbers.
• Has been observed in possession of lottery tickets, bingo cards, IOU’s, etc.
• Is a high frequency video game player, especially enjoying computer/video simulated gambling-type games.
• Has abused substances, e.g., alcohol and/or drugs.
• Repeatedly seeks activities that produce a "high" (physiological arousal).
• Has been involved in borrowing or stealing money and can't remember what the money was spent on.
• Appears nervous when observing sports events on television.
• Carries excessive amounts of cash.
• Failing grades and increased absenteeism in school.

Reprinted from International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors
Faculty of Education, McGill University