Youth Gambling
"The rite of passage has gone from being starting drinking to starting gambling” (M. Steinberg)
Motives for adolescent gambling:
Relaxation - Enjoyment - Excitement - Entertainment Adventure – Attention – Opportunity - Escape Negative feelings
Teens commonly:
- Live in the moment and enjoy games that keep them attentive and engaged. The teen lives in the moment with cell phone/ internet/ blackberry immediacy. Remote gambling is especially unique in this manner.
- Are technologically literate and can navigate the internet at the speed of light compared to older generations
- Are high risk takers developmentally. This is a normal part of the teenage experience to challenge the norm and take risks, both physically and emotionally
- Have poor control over impulsive behaviors
- Are able to dominate web sites without physical presence, beauty, strength, or acceptance. Skill is all important.
Major modes of teen betting
- Internet
- Online poker
- Peer – to – peer (online bet exchanges)
- Sports betting
- Other types such as: poker, tossing coins, dice, etc
Signs of problem gambling in teens:
- Unexplained absences from school
- Dropping grades
- Increased family conflict
- The family suspects alcohol or other drug abuse
- Asking/taking/stealing money from family friends and strangers
- Large amounts of money in teen’s possession
- Gambling language and gambling an important conversational topic
- Showing off money, clothing, and other possessions
- Spending an unusual amount of time on the computer (out of parents sight), closing down programs when adults walk into the room, reading newspapers (sports page and stats), magazines, an/or periodicals having to do with sports or online poker sites.
- Selling personal belongings (theirs and families)
- Bragging about winnings
- Lying, cheating, or stealing in school
- Exhaustion from lack of sleep
- Digititis (fingers look like they are typing on a key board all the time)
- Playing on a team but not performing to normal abilities (shaving points)
- Overtly interested in how other teams at school are performing
- Overly invested in performance of certain athletes (fantasy football/basketball/etc)
Teen rates for problem gambling are at a rate higher than for adults and vary. 4%–8% of adolescents between 12 and 17 years of age gamble at a pathological level, and another 10%–15% are at risk of developing a serious problems. (1)
Find help:
If you suspect a teen has a gambling problem, contact the confidential helpline: 2-1-1 (Maine only) for more information and resources.
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
(1) Derevensky & Gupta, 2004; Derevensky et al., 2003; Hardoon & Derevensky, 2002; Jacobs, 2000; National Research Council, 1999
Content from the National Problem Gambling Awareness week. org
