Copyright 2010 – BC Responsible Gambling Strategy Slide 1 Problem Gambling Help Line 1-888-795-1111 For residents of British Columbia Toll-free – 24 hours

Copyright 2010 – BC Responsible Gambling Strategy Slide 1

Problem Gambling Help Line

1-888-795-1111For residents of British ColumbiaToll-free – 24 hours a day

British Columbia

Responsible Gambling StrategyGambling information and resources for residents of BC

Betting on Your Child’s Future:Parents are Partners in

Gambling Prevention

By Carolyn Pickett, B.S.W.

Photos are for illustrative purposes


of parents report they “rarely” or “never”

discuss gambling related issues with their teen.

Parents who believe their teen has gambled for money

Actual BC Underage Youth participation in gambling(2007)

We are Glad You are Here because…

43%

13%

56%


By the end of the session, you will be able to:• describe the forms of gambling that youth are engaged in and

who youth gamble with; • recognize risk factors that contribute to youth developing a

gambling problem and your role as partners in prevention; • name three signs of problem gambling in youth as well as

understand the cautions around “drawing conclusions;” and • list two pointers on how to talk with kids about gambling.

Objectives for Today


• I’m hosting a Texas Hold’Em tournament this weekend at my house. There is no cost to you. I’ll provide all the chips and the winner will get a free poker set, just for fun.

• It costs $5 to get into the local community fair. Your ticket gives you entry into the fair and a chance to win a flat screen t.v.

• I’ll bet you my iPod that I can beat you to school on my bike.• I’m collecting money for my soccer team. You can buy one ticket

for $2 and 3 tickets for $5. There are three prizes to be given away.

• I’m inviting friends over to watch the UFC championships. Everyone bets $5 and chooses a winner, winner takes all.

Which of these is “Gambling?”


Any experience involving the wagering, bettingor risking of money or valuables (jewellery, electronics, clothing, etc.) on an activity of chance, where money or other valuables may be won or lost (unpredictable outcome).

Gambling is…


Candy Poker Chips Real Poker Chips

Children are exposed to Gambling now more than ever


Who Do These Games Appeal To?



of all students in the province have gambled by the age of 18

The average age of onset of gambling

of youth aged 15 – 18 have participated in at least one gambling activity in the last 2 months

The percentage of youth that have gamble online for money but began playing online for free

Statistics

56%

13%

43%

13.4


…think that practice can improve their chances of winning, and they can win at gambling if they know what they are doing.

Youth in BC…


Where are youth gambling?• Home, friend’s house, school

Who are they gambling with?• Friends, family, relatives and siblings

What kinds of games are they playing?• Cards (poker), lottery, sports betting and internet* *the most time and money is reportedly spent on online gambling

Profile of a Youth Gambler


• Development: stage of risk-taking & experimentation

• Brain maturation is not complete until about age 24!

• Youth now exposed to varied forms of gambling: new rite of passage

• Youth are gambling more often than they are using alcohol, drugs or cigarettes, but awareness about the risks is not as high

Risk Factors


of youth report that their parents are buying lottery or instant win tickets for them to play

Youth who report that their parents have gambled in the past year show a significantly higher participation in various gambling activities than youth who report that their parents have not gambled in the past 12 months.

The Good News…Parents are the number one resource that youth say they would turn to if they ever experienced any problems as a result of gambling.

The Role of Parents

67%

Video


• Come from all social backgrounds and are both male and female• Are often competitive, perfectionist, bright and extroverted• Started gambling at home in their pre-teens (average age is 10)• Began gambling socially by playing cards, betting on sports pools,

or playing lottery tickets• Are unaware when a social activity becomes a problem• Developmentally are at a stage of risk-taking and experimentation• Are at increased risk for depression, low self-esteem, suicide

ideation and attempts Sources: www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca; Gupta and Derevensky,

DECODE

Youth with Gambling Problems

http://www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca/


• Possess gambling materials – dice, playing cards, etc.• Spend time on internet gambling sites• Experience unusual mood swings (can be related to gambling

wins/losses)• Exaggerated emotional responses to sports scores• Say that gambling is an easy way to make money• Use money meant for necessities (lunch, bus fare, etc.) to gamble• Lie to family and friends about gambling

Adapted from www.notagame.org

Signs of Youth Problem Gambling


• Have unexplained absences from school• Experience a sudden drop in grades• Unexplained large amount of money in their possession or

bragging about gambling wins• Show an unusual interest in newspaper, magazines or other sports

print media• Committed an illegal act to obtain money for gambling – including

theft from family members• Intense interest in conversations that revolve around gambling.Adapted from www.notagame.org

Signs of Problem Gambling, cont’d.


• Find the right time to have a conversation• Ask questions and listen for their attitudes about gambling• Be specific and concrete when you talk about gambling• Be clear about your own values toward gambling• Be careful about the language that you choose to use• Don’t tell them, show them. Lead by example!

Tips for Talking To Your Child


Free Counselling:• Individual, couples, family, day treatment, and group counselling available.• All services are free and confidential. Multilingual services available.

Education:• Presentations, workshops, information and training for all age groups.

Problem Gambling Help Line: • 1-888-795-6111 (free anywhere in BC). Currently available in 13 languages.• Available 24 hours/ day, 7 days per week.Website: • www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca

BC RGS Resources and Services

Documents

Copyright 2010 – BC Responsible Gambling Strategy Slide 1 Problem Gambling Help Line 1-888-795-1111 For residents of British Columbia Toll-free – 24 hours