NYS PTA and NY Problem Gambling Resources:
The New York Council on Problem Gambling (NYCPG) is a not-for-profit independent corporation dedicated to increasing public awareness about problem and disordered gambling and advocating for support services and treatment for persons adversely affected by problem gambling. NYCPG maintains a neutral stance on gambling and is governed by a Board of Directors.
Part of what we do at NYCPG is working with communities and groups to prevent youth gambling.
There are so many other issues, why should I be concerned about youth gambling?
Problem gambling can start young; really young. In fact, 39.5% of youth age 12-17 have gambled this past year, and 30% of these youth state that they began gambling at age 10 or younger. This is significantly higher than the percentage of youth who began using cigarettes, alcohol or marijuana before age ten, which ranges from 12.5% to 13.9%. Gambling before the age of 10 and can lay the foundation of seeking excitement through risky behaviors in the future, such as using cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana. The earlier a child starts gambling, the more likely they are to have problems due to gambling.
Today, the explosion of internet gambling and gaming opportunities, the recent legalization of mobile sports betting, and the inescapable advertising is taking a toll on the normalization of gambling for youth. Marketing of mobile sports betting and gambling in gaming is everywhere, from television to the corner store, and relentlessly exposing our children to enticing messages of winning, risk-taking and excitement from a very early age. Mobile sports betting is changing how youth view sports, and the line between gambling and gaming is getting blurrier every day. We all need to take action.
How can parents and PTAs reduce the risks associated with youth gambling?
Learn more about the dangers of youth gambling and the importance of developing media literacy skills at www.YOUthDecideNY.org. You(th) Decide NY is a resource for youth, parents and communities, interested in giving YOU(th) the power to DECIDE to make healthy choices for themselves, their families and communities regarding youth gambling.
Learn More about Youth Gambling
Take the pledge to talk to your kids, or kids that you lead, about your feelings about, and the dangers of, youth gambling. Use teachable moments like advertisements, movies, and music that you see/hear together to start the conversation. Tips for having a conversation with children around the issue of youth gambling can be found at Talk2Kids.org. Talk2Kids is a campaign designed to give parents to tools necessary to talk to their kids about gambling.
Declare your family and youth events gambling-free, or help your school add youth gambling to their policies.
If you would like more information about preventing youth gambling in New York State, please reach out to Stelianos Canallatos, Prevention Manager, NYCPG at SCanallatos@NYProblemGambling.org or 518-573-6727.
Thank you for your support in preventing youth gambling in New York State and for helping to keep our youth and communities safe!
If you or someone you know is struggling with negative consequences caused by gambling, please reach out to the Problem Gambling Resource Center in your region today at NYProblemGamblingHELP.og