By Ann K. Howley
Most parents would answer that question with a definitive NO.
However, the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviours at McGill University recently reported that 60%-80% of high school students typically report having gambled for money in the past year. And, according to a 2023 poll conducted by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, one out of six parents admitted that they probably would not know if their kid was gambling online.
It is remarkably easy for kids to gamble. In 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on sports betting, at least 30 states quickly legalized online gambling.
In Maryland, online casinos that involve real money are not legal, though certain types of online gambling, such as sports betting, horse racing and daily fantasy sports are permitted. The legal age to gamble varies from state to state but generally ranges from 18 to 21 years, so it is definitely illegal for kids to gamble.
Unfortunately, any kid who has a smartphone, a bank account in their name and access to a credit or debit card is one click away from using an online gambling app.
A cultural shift
It wasn’t too long ago when gambling was considered a vice and Las Vegas was nicknamed “Sin City.” But today, most people consider gambling to be harmless entertainment. Outside of casinos, Americans spend billions of dollars every year playing the lottery and buying scratch-off tickets. Organizations and churches commonly fundraise by playing bingo and holding raffles. Fantasy football leagues and bracket pools for sporting events like the Super Bowl and March Madness are very popular with high schoolers and younger kids.
In addition, kids enjoy playing games on their phones that include features like bonus points and rewards that make it harder to distinguish the difference between playing for fun and playing for money.
The risk is high
Even in the most innocuous forms, gambling is still dangerous, particularly for kids.
“Young people are significantly at higher risk of developing gambling disorder than adults, in part because their brains are not fully developed. Their ability to evaluate risk, their ability to handle loss, isn’t as secure as an adult,” Dr. Timothy Fong, who specializes in addiction psychiatry at UCLA, told ABC News in 2022.
The International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors warns that kids could experience personal and mental health problems, such as physical pain, sleeping disorders, changes in eating habits, anxiety, stress, depression, mood swings and unexplained anger. Academic and school problems can also occur, like a loss of interest in previous pursuits and absenteeism.
Research shows that the kids who are more likely to have a gambling problem are boys, who are generally considered greater risk-takers. Boys often show signs of lower self-esteem, tend to report higher levels of depression and are more likely to develop substance addictions. They perceive gambling as a way to escape their problems.
Adolescent problem gamblers report that they usually started gambling at an early age (approximately age 10) and often have parents, relatives and friends who gamble.
Some signs that your child might have a gambling problem are:
- A consuming interest in gambling and gambling-related activities
- Problems in school
- Personality changes
- Changes in relationships, such as new friends, and ignoring old ones
- Mood changes
- Explosive anger
- Signs of anxiety and stress
- Sudden interest in new sports teams
- Unexplained money that appears or disappears
- Valuables missing
What can parents do?
The most important thing parents can do to protect their children is to be aware of the dangers of gambling and to have conversations with kids about responsible online behavior.
Here are seven tips suggested by Lisa Ulery, director of technology and libraries at the University School, an all-boys private K-12 school with several locations in Ohio.
Start early – Talk to your kids about the consequences and risks of online gambling before they are exposed to online platforms.
Listen without judgment and create a supportive environment for your child to express their thoughts and experiences related to gambling.
Set clear boundaries regarding screen time, online activities and financial management to help prevent gambling behavior.
Teach critical thinking skills. Encourage your child to critically evaluate information presented in online gambling advertisements and promotions.
Be a good role model. “Whether you go to bingo night, weekend trips to Vegas or participate in a fantasy football league, talk about how you manage the feeling of needing to keep betting and how you pull yourself away when the app or the house encourages you to keep going,” Ulery says.
Monitor online activity. Keep an eye on your child’s online behavior and intervene if you notice signs of gambling or distress.
Seek professional help from a therapist or counselor if you think your child might be struggling with problem gambling.
For more information, writer Ann K. Howley recommends checking out the website for the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at youthgambling.com.
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