online gambling and youth

Internet gambling websites, even when played for 'free', are not a safe bet for young people. Read on to learn why--and what you can do to help your kids be safe online.

"What's the big deal with kids and online gambling? Kids have to be of age before they can play, don't they?"

The law says a person needs to be 18 years of age to gamble online.  Yet we have talked with teens as young as 12 years old who have bet real money online. How do they do it? They simply click a button that says they are 18 years old, and play with a parent's credit card.

"But isn't it illegal now in the U.S. to bet online with credit cards?"

Now that new U.S. law prohibits the use of credit cards for online gambling sites, there is more of a barrier for young people. But third-party payments are just around the bend.  Kids are often experts at getting around the system.  Just as U.S. law says a person needs to be 18 to smoke and 21 to drink, the behavior still happens. We need to empower our kids now--before they get involved or into trouble with online gambling.

"What's the harm in playing a little poker or placing a bet? I'm a parent now, but we did that stuff all the time when we were kids--and none of us got into problems."

True that most people who play poker or other games--even when money is involved--don't develop gambling problems.  But consider this is the very first generation of this kind of gambling.  Electronic gambling (typically known through games like video poker and video slots) is considered the most addictive type of gambling.  In fact, these games are so addictive they are often referred to as the 'crack cocaine' of gambling. 

Why so addictive?  The games are done in isolation, can be played (and money can be spent) very quickly, and there is no time limit for most electronic forms of gambling. 

Internet gambling adds even more of a dimension to the concern of electronic gambling--more isolation more access to money (through credit cards), more time. 

Think about it. Is your kid hooked on video games in general? Imagine how he or she would be with an added aspect of money on the line.

"So if this is a real concern, what can I do to help my kids?"

These tips, adapted from "The Anti-Drug" website advice, can be used to help your kids curb unhealthy behaviors--including gambling. (For more advice to parents on talking with your kids about drugs or alcohol, visit The Anti-Drug's advice pages).

1. Get involved.  Get to know who your kid hangs out with, and what they like to do. Have together time to catch up on the latest goings-on in their lives.

2. Monitor your kids' behavior.  Set limits with the amount of time they can spend online, as well as what sites they can visit and what games they can play. Enforce consequences (e.g., less time online) if the rules are not followed.

3. Walk the walk. Set a good example. Are you spending more and more time gambling in general or online?  Or do you show your kids how you set limits with your own gambling (and other) behaviors?

4. Communicate.  Talk with your kids about the risks of gambling, and the true odds of winning. Can't think of what to talk about?  Take advice from the experts. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission advises parents to convey to their kids the following risks associated with online gambling (Source: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2002/06/onlinegambling.htm):

• You can lose your money. Online gambling operations are in business to make a profit. They take in more money than they pay out.
• You can ruin a good credit rating. Online gambling generally requires the use of a credit card. If kids rack up debt online, they could ruin their credit rating - or their parent's.
• Online gambling can be addictive. Because Internet gambling is a solitary activity, people can gamble uninterrupted and undetected for hours at a time. Gambling in social isolation and using credit to gamble may be risk factors for developing gambling problems.
• Gambling is illegal for kids. Every state prohibits gambling by minors. That's why gambling sites don't pay out to kids and go to great lengths to verify the identity of any winner.

Parents: Click here for tips about talking to your kids about gambling.

Teachers: Click here for tips about talking to your students about gambling.

Contact us to come talk with your students!

For More information:

• Youth online gambling: Visit Canada's Be Web Aware (Media Awareness Network) site for this helpful and information and tips. 
• General online gambling brochure: From the Saskatchewan division of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

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