Youth Gambling

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

Research on Youth Problem Gambling

Some studies indicate that adult problem gamblers report the onset of their excessive gambling behaviours to have begun quite early, often between the ages of 10-19. A large scale study of adolescents in Alberta found that most problem gamblers began gambling, on average, at the age of 10. Similar results were found in a study of secondary school adolescents and young adults in Quebec.

Problem gambling among adolescents has been shown to result in increased delinquency and crime, the disruption of relationships, and negatively affects overall school performance and work activities. While youth present themselves differently from adults, they display similar characteristics. These adolescents have a preoccupation with gambling, sacrificing school, work, and personal relationships in order to maintain this behaviour.

Despite some conflicting findings, there appears to be an overall consensus that:

• Gambling is more popular amongst males than females;
• Problem gamblers are greater risk takers;
• Adolescent prevalence rates of problem gamblers are 2-4 times that of adults;
• Adolescents with problem gambling behaviours have lower self esteem, higher rates of depression, dissociate more frequently when gambling, and are at increased risk for the development of an addiction or poly-addictions;
• Research on personality traits reveals adolescent problem gamblers are more excitable, extroverted, anxious, tend to have difficulty conforming to societal norms, and experience difficulties with self discipline;
• Adolescents with serious gambling problems are at heightened risk for suicidal tendencies;
• Old friends are often lost and replaced by gambling associates;
• Adolescents with gambling problems have poor general coping skills;
• Adolescents problem gamblers report beginning gambling at earlier ages;
• Adolescents experience a rapid movement from social gambler to problem gambler; and
• Problem gambling in adolescence has been shown to result in increased delinquency and crime, the disruption of familial relationships, and decreased academic performance.

Today, children and adolescents are informed via the school system about the dangers inherent in smoking, alcohol, and drug consumption. Few, however, are informed as to the addictive qualities potentially inherent in gambling activities. Adolescents only become cognizant of this after either they or their friends develop problematic gambling behaviours. It is believed that this lack of public awareness is contributing to the increasing number of children and adolescents who are currently struggling with gambling problems.

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

Resources Designed for Youth in BC

In 2007 the City of Richmond, the Richmond School District, Richmond Addiction Services, and McGill University's International Centre for Youth Gambling and High-Risk Behaviours partnered with the Province of BC to pilot the Know Dice youth gambling prevention resource.

This multimedia program teaches grade six students about the myths and risks associated with gambling. The program includes a computer game titled The Amazing Chateau, and a supporting web site, www.knowdice.ca.

The KnowDice.ca web site is an excellent resource for all youth who want to know more about the myths and risks of gambling.

Information Links

www.knowdice.ca   - Youth gambling prevention resource for residents of BC
www.luckyday.ca   - Information on youth gambling provided by the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba
www.zoot2.com -  A cool site and forum for teens developed by the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission that discusses alcohol, drugs, gambling, and tobacco.
www.aadac4kids.com  - Check out My Room for Kids.
www.youthbet.net - A site created on the subject of youth gambling with games and surprising gambling stats.

Resources

Comprehensive information about youth gambling can be found at McGill University's International Centre for Youth Gambling

Derevensky, J.L., & Gupta, R., Adolescent Gambling Behaviour: A Prevalence Study and Examination of the Correlates Associated With Excessive Gambling, McGill University, 1997

Durand, Jacobs F. PhD. Illegal and Undocumented: A Review of Teenage Gambling and the Plight of Children of Problem Gamblers in America

Fisher, S. Gambling and Pathological Gambling in Adolescents. Journal of Gambling Studies, 9(3), pp, 277-288, 1993. Human Sciences Press, Inc.

Griffiths, Mark D. Gambling in Children and Adolescents. Journal of Gambling Behavior Vol. 5(1), Spring 1989

Schroeder, Jeanne Youth and Gambling: A Review of the Literature. Minnesota Council on Compulsive Gambling, 1995

Winters, K.C., Stinchfiedl, R.D., & Fulkerson, J. Patterns and Characteristics of Adolescent Gambling. Journal of Gambling Studies, 9(4), pp. 371-387, 1993. Human Sciences Press, Inc.