Advocates Hope To Increase Problem Gambling Awareness Among Youth

With the growing accessibility and availability of gambling in Michigan, the industry is expanding its reach to a wider market.

As the age of problem gamblers decreases, it indicates that awareness of gambling is reaching a younger demographic.

Advocates aim to generate increased effort in educating youths about the issue during Problem Gambling Awareness Month.

The new normal of a gambling world

Throughout the past month, we have explored various subjects related to problem gambling.

It is well-established that the demographic of problem gamblers now primarily consists of males aged 18 to 35.

In 2021, it is also evident that sports betting advertising expenses reached $1.2 billion across the United States.

The target audience for those ads is the younger demographic.

Young adults are increasingly exposed to sportsbook brands through various channels as these brands establish partnerships with professional and collegiate athletic teams. This normalization of gambling has raised concerns among advocates for responsible gambling.

Jody Bechtold, CEO of the Better Institute, expressed that sponsorships with teams are creating a perception among individuals under 18 that this is the norm in life. However, she also acknowledged that for many of us, this concept is still relatively unfamiliar.

Because the problem is relatively new, many people struggle to understand what problem gambling entails and how to effectively address it with children.

Brianne Doura-Schawohl, Founder of Doura-Schawohl Consulting LLC, emphasized the need to redefine our understanding of responsible gambling. While many of us can easily define responsible drinking, the same cannot be said for responsible gambling. Doura-Schawohl suggests that we need to adopt the industry’s methods of communication, such as online messaging and push notifications, to effectively reach and educate this new demographic.

New problem, but a growing one

Multiple global studies indicate that in the United States, approximately 1.1 million individuals between the ages of 12 and 17 are identified as engaging in pathological gambling behavior.

Recently, the 2024 survey on Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health was conducted, focusing on the gambling habits of students in grades 7-12. A total of 7,050 students participated in the survey.

The survey revealed the following gambling activities:

• Playing cards for money
• Engaging in wagers on games that require skill
• Sports wagering
• Lottery tickets
• Scratch-off tickets
• Fantasy sports
• Betting on eSports

When asked about their lack of control, dishonesty, or excessive focus on various types of gambling, it was discovered that 8.3% displayed signs of being problem gamblers. Additionally, a total of 29.7% exhibited habits of being social or occasional gamblers.

Out of the males surveyed, 11.1% were identified as problem gamblers, whereas 5.3% of the females fell into the same category.

The survey has recorded a consistent increase in those numbers for the past six years. The categories that experienced the most significant growth included card games, skill games, lottery, and scratch-offs.

Out of all the students surveyed, 70.2 percent confirmed their involvement in some type of gaming activity (excluding gambling). Additionally, 65.4 percent of the students stated that they engage in gaming for a minimum of two hours per day.

According to Jeffrey Derevensky, Ph.D., a Psychiatry expert at McGill University, the common perception of a problem gambler usually revolves around a middle-aged man who transitioned from horse race betting to casino or online gambling, or sports betting. Surprisingly, the term ‘teenager’ is rarely associated with this issue, despite the fact that adolescents actually have higher rates of gambling problems compared to adults. However, their manifestation of these issues differs from the traditional stereotype.

How, why are youths gambling?

One might mistakenly believe that individuals under the age of 18 do not engage in gambling due to its illegality.

However, the truth is that children of all ages, just like many adults in the past, manage to get involved in it.

Searching the term “gambling” on Amazon yields over 10,000 potential items available for purchase.

Scratch-off lottery tickets frequently take inspiration from popular children’s games such as Monopoly or Bingo. Moreover, these scratch-off tickets can be conveniently obtained from vending machines that do not necessitate identification for purchase.

Mobile games on phones or tablets are an integral part of the gaming industry. While some games may be labeled as “free,” they often require additional payments for in-game bonuses that do not offer any potential for winning back the spent money.

Young people may also engage in friendly betting with their peers for tangible items such as clothes or toys.

The 2024 ADMHS reveals that 10% of youths confess to engaging in gambling activities for money or personal possessions.

Although individuals may express a desire for money, the study revealed that these three factors were frequently the strongest motivators for engaging in gambling:

• Excitement of winning
• Peer pressure
• Family views on gambling

Not a standalone issue

In 2024, the ADMHS delved into the various complex aspects of mental health problems linked to gambling addiction.

Even if a problem gambler’s access to gambling is limited or removed, they may still display more profound addiction issues that could be found in other aspects of their life.

Here’s an insight into the various factors that influenced the lives of students falling under the problem gambling category:

• 37.4% of individuals reside with someone who has mental health challenges.
• 23.8% of individuals reside with a person who struggles with alcohol addiction.
• 28.0% of people live with individuals who have been incarcerated.
• 43.8% of individuals have observed their parents being separated or divorced.
• Approximately 9.9% of domestic violence incidents occur within the home environment.
• 12.5% of individuals in the household have encountered physical abuse from an adult.
• Experienced neglect: 9.7%
• 31.2% of individuals have encountered verbal abuse within their household.
• Experienced sexual abuse: 9.7%
• Experienced emotional abuse: 32.9%
• Approximately 32.4% of individuals have experienced thoughts related to suicide.
• The percentage of individuals who have tried to commit suicide is 14.4%.

The inclusion of social/occasional gamblers in the study resulted in an increase across all the numbers.

Alarm not sounding for parents

In the past year, there has been a growing push from responsible gaming advocates to prioritize the education of young individuals on this important matter.

Nevertheless, parents and educators often fail to recognize the severity of gambling as a concern, particularly when juxtaposed with substance abuse or sexual education.

Advocates are emphasizing the importance of educating not only students but also parents on problem gambling.

Alia Lucas, a specialist for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, stated that due to the increased accessibility to gambling, there is a need to focus on a younger demographic who are engaging in gambling activities. The aim is to provide them with more information and awareness regarding the nature of gambling and when it becomes problematic. Additionally, parents are also being targeted as they often overlook the possibility of their children being involved in gambling. The goal is to bring this issue to their attention so that they are aware of its prevalence.

Getting the word out

In 2024, the MDHHS is intensifying its efforts to raise awareness among young individuals regarding responsible gaming.

Stacked Deck is a virtual prevention training program that plays a crucial role in educating and equipping kids and young adults with the necessary tools to prevent gambling disorders. This comprehensive curriculum aims to raise awareness and promote prevention among the youth.

“We have introduced several initiatives, including the appointment of a gambling disorder youth community coordinator. In addition, we have prevention coordinators in seven out of the ten regions in Michigan. These coordinators have all undergone comprehensive training on the Stacked Deck curriculum. The objective is for them to acquire all the necessary knowledge and resources, and then utilize these tools to educate and raise awareness about gambling disorder among the younger population. They will disseminate this information in various settings, such as local community centers, high schools, and middle schools, tailoring their efforts to suit the needs of their specific region.”

There is a concern regarding the necessity for increased funding for problem gambling awareness.

Lucas and other advocates are hopeful for a collective effort from the gaming industry to address this issue.

Lucas expressed his desire for the youth community to make greater strides in raising awareness. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of unified messaging between the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Michigan state lottery, and the Michigan Gaming Control Board in promoting responsible gambling and addressing gambling disorder. He underscored the need for consistency in messaging and a collaborative effort to achieve a positive impact.

To learn more about raising awareness on youth gambling, please visit www.youthgambling.com.

If you or someone you are acquainted with requires assistance with a gambling-related problem, please contact the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-270-7117.