Risky Behaviors: Kids and Problem Gambling

What’s Wrong With These Pictures?

Risky Behavior and Kids

What is “risky behavior”?

Behavior that puts a person into a potentially dangerous situation

Examples: Drinking alcohol and driving Taking illegal drugs Gambling too much and too often

What is the harm for my child if I have risky behavior?

Research has shown that children who grow up around risky behaviors are more likely to engage in those behaviors themselves

What is the harm in my child having risky behavior? The younger a child starts doing risky

behavior, the more likely he or she is to have a problem controlling the behavior

This can lead to addiction as a teen or as an adult

What if “risky behavior” makes me feel better?

Many people use alcohol, drugs, gambling and other forms of risky behavior to relieve stress

These behaviors can damage your health and the health of your family

Unhealthy ways to relieve stress

Smoking Drinking alcohol to relax Gambling to forget your problems Using drugs or pills Taking out stress on others

Hitting, name calling, anger

Positive ways to relieve stress

Go for a walk Call a friend Exercise Write in a journal Listen to music Watch a funny movie

Evaluation questions

Can you name one example of “risky behavior”?

Can you tell me why risky behavior is harmful to your child?

Can you give an example of a positive way to relieve stress?

NOTE – the following slides are about problem gambling. They do NOT have to be used. I included them here in case you wanted any background information or wanted to use them in any way.

What is Gambling?

Any behavior that risks money or other valuable things on the outcome of a game, contest, or any other event

Examples: Lottery tickets Sport games Internet Poker

What is “Problem Gambling”?

Gambling that causes problems in your daily life:

Losing more money than you have Gambling (or thinking about gambling)

instead of doing homework, playing with friends, or being involved in your family

Gambling and Teens

Gambling seen as: Normal Harmless Fun Being “adult”

Special Concerns for Teens Gambling can lead to high-risk

behavior Survey of 8th and 11th grade students

finds that students who gamble are more likely to:

Use alcohol Use tobacco Carry a handgun Have violent behavior

Teen Problem Gamblers Gambling at an early age leads to a

higher risk of becoming a problem gambler

Common risk factors: Started gambling before 8th grade Family members gamble Likes to gamble with friends

Gambling Messages to Youth

Where Do Gambling Messages Come From? TV Shows and Ads

TV Sitcoms, televised poker tournaments Internet

Online gambling sites School

“Casino Night” fundraisers Church

“Bingo” fundraisers Parents

Games Youth Play Most

Free games on the internet Cards

Texas Hold-’em Poker

Internet Gambling: A Casino in Every Home… #1 gambling activity among

Oregon youth Free and always available Youth play with fake money

Losses are not real “Practice” sites let you win

more often than play-for-money sites

Creates a habit

Internet Gambling: Fast Play

Casino card games 30 hands per hour

Online poker 60 to 80 hands per hour More money can be lost faster

Video slot games are made by Video game makers

Quiz Question

A coin comes up “heads” 5 times in a row. On the next flip, is the coin more likely to come up heads or tails?

A = Heads B = Tails C = Either

Quiz Answer C = Either Why?

It is always “50-50” – there is a 50% chance of heads and a 50% chance of tails each time the coin is tossed

The chance of getting heads or tails never changes, no matter how many times you toss the coin

“50-50” means that…

Playing longer does NOT mean that “your luck will change”

Lots of “heads” in a row does NOT mean you are more likely to get a “tail”

?

Quiz Question

True or False? There is less risk of alcohol or drug

abuse among problem gamblers

?

Quiz Answer

False Research studies have shown that

problem gamblers are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol

Quiz Question

True or False? Problem gambling does not have as

serious consequences as other addictions

Quiz Answer

False Problem gamblers have higher

rates of: Alcohol and drug abuse Serious money problems Depression Suicide

Quiz Question

True or False? Gambling is NOT a safe alternative

to drugs and alcohol

Instead of

?

Quiz Question

True or False? Gambling is NOT a safe alternative

to drugs and alcohol

Quiz Answer

True Like drugs and alcohol, people can

become addicted to gambling A gambling addiction can cause serious

problems: Depression Suicide

Financial ruin Family break-up

Problem Gambling Helpline

Phone: 1-877-My Limit Online: www.1877mylimit.org

Chat, IM, email Free and confidential Staffed by professional counselors