Advocates Hope To Increase Problem Gambling Awareness Among Youth

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With the growing accessibility and availability of gambling in Michigan, the industry is reaching a wider market.

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

Advocates aim to generate increased efforts in educating young individuals about the issue during Problem Gambling Awareness Month.

The new normal of a gambling world

Throughout the previous month, we have examined various subjects pertaining to problem gambling.

It is now widely acknowledged that the demographic profile of the typical problem gambler has changed, with a greater prevalence observed among males aged 18 to 35.

In 2021, it is estimated that $1.2 billion was dedicated to sports betting advertising throughout the United States.

The target demographic for those ads is the younger audience.

The normalization of gambling is being perceived by responsible gambling advocates as young adults encounter sportsbooks partnering with professional and collegiate athletic teams across various aspects of their daily routines.

Jody Bechtold, CEO of the Better Institute, expressed concern about the message being conveyed to individuals under 18 through sponsorships with teams. “By endorsing these sponsorships, we are inadvertently shaping their perception of what constitutes a normal way of life,” Bechtold stated. “However, for many of us, this concept is still relatively novel.”

Because the problem is new, many people struggle to recognize what problem gambling entails and how to effectively address it when it involves children.

Brianne Doura-Schawohl, Founder of Doura-Schawohl Consulting LLC, pointed out that while most of us understand responsible drinking, not many can actually define responsible gambling. She emphasized the need to communicate with people using the same methods employed by the industry, such as online messaging and push notifications, in order to reach the new demographic.

New problem, but a growing one

Global studies have found that in the United States, approximately 1.1 million individuals between the ages of 12 and 17 display signs of pathological gambling.

Recently, the 2024 survey on Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health shed light on the gambling habits of a substantial group of students in grades 7-12. A comprehensive total of 7,050 students participated in this survey.

The survey identified the following gambling activities:

• Gambling with playing cards for monetary stakes.
• Engaging in wagers on games based on skill
• Betting on sports.
• Lottery tickets are a form of gambling where individuals purchase tickets in hopes of winning a prize through a random drawing.
• Scratch-off tickets are a form of gambling where players can win instant prizes by scratching the surface of the ticket to reveal hidden numbers or symbols.
• Fantasy sports, a beloved pastime for sports enthusiasts, revolves around creating and managing virtual teams of real-life athletes.
• Placing wagers on eSports.

When asked about their lack of control, deceitfulness, or excessive involvement in various gambling activities, a study revealed that 8.3% of individuals displayed signs of problem gambling. Additionally, 29.7% exhibited behaviors associated with social or occasional gambling.

Out of the males surveyed, 11.1% can be classified as problem gamblers, compared to 5.3% of the females.

The survey reveals a consistent increase in these numbers over the course of the last six years. Notably, card games, skill games, lottery, and scratch-offs experienced the most significant growth among all areas.

Out of all the surveyed students, 70.2 percent revealed their involvement in some type of gaming activity (excluding gambling), while 65.4 percent reported participating in gaming for a minimum of 2 hours per day.

According to Jeffrey Derevensky, Ph.D. of Psychiatry at McGill University, the common perception of a problem gambler is a middle-aged man who transitioned from horse racing to casino or online gambling, or sports betting. However, the word “teenager” is not typically associated with this image, despite the fact that adolescents actually have higher rates of gambling problems than adults. The difference lies in the way they manifest their issues.

How, why are youths gambling?

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

However, the truth remains that children of all ages, just like many adults before them, inevitably venture into it.

By simply entering the term “gambling” on Amazon, you will discover over 10,000 potential items available for purchase.

Scratch-off lottery tickets frequently feature popular children’s games such as Monopoly or Bingo. Additionally, these tickets can be conveniently obtained from vending machines without the need for identification verification.

Games on mobile devices, such as phones or tablets, are also a part of the gaming industry. While these games may be labeled as “free” to play, they often require payment for additional bonuses or features, without offering any opportunity to regain the spent money.

Young people can also engage in friendly betting with their peers, where they may wager material possessions such as clothes or toys.

10% of youths confess to gambling for money or personal items, as stated in the 2024 ADMHS report.

Although individuals may express a wish for money, the research indicated that these three factors were frequently the most influential in driving gambling behavior:

• The thrill of victory
• The influence of one’s peers on an individual’s thoughts, actions, or decisions.
• Perspectives on gambling within the family

Not a standalone issue

In 2024, the ADMHS delved into the various complexities of mental health problems that can arise in connection with problem gambling.

Even if a problem gambler’s gaming activities were restricted or eliminated, they may still display signs of addiction that could be rooted in other areas.

Here is an overview of how other issues played a role in the lives of students identified as problem gamblers.

• 37.4% of individuals reside with someone who experiences mental health challenges.
• 23.8% of individuals reside with someone who has struggled with alcohol addiction.
• 28.0% of individuals live with a person who has been incarcerated.
• 43.8% of individuals have observed their parents undergo separation or divorce.
• 9.9% of individuals have observed domestic violence within their own households.
• 12.5% of individuals have encountered physical abuse from an adult within their household.
• 9.7% of individuals have encountered neglect.
• 31.2% of individuals encounter verbal abuse within their household.
• 9.7% of individuals have endured sexual abuse in their lifetime, reflecting their past encounters with this traumatic experience.
• Approximately 32.9% of individuals have encountered emotional abuse in their lives.
• Approximately 32.4% of individuals have experienced suicidal thoughts in some capacity.
• The percentage of individuals who have attempted suicide is 14.4%.

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

Alarm not sounding for parents

In the last year, there has been a growing emphasis from responsible gaming advocates on the importance of educating young people about this matter.

Nevertheless, these individuals discover that a significant number of parents and educators fail to perceive gambling as a concern that warrants attention, particularly when compared to issues such as substance abuse or sexual education.

Advocates are advocating for the education of problem gambling, emphasizing the importance of it for both students and parents.

Alia Lucas, a specialist in gambling disorder prevention and treatment for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, stated that the increased accessibility to gambling has led to a younger demographic participating in gambling activities. In response, efforts are being made to provide these individuals with more information about the nature of gambling and when it becomes problematic. Additionally, parents are being targeted as well, as they often do not consider the possibility of their children engaging in such behavior. The goal is to raise awareness among parents about the extent to which gambling is prevalent among youth and young adults.

Getting the word out

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

Stacked Deck is a virtual prevention training program that plays a crucial role in providing education and prevention resources for children and young adults concerning gambling disorders. This curriculum is designed to equip them with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively combat such issues.

Lucas explained that one of the initiatives we have started is appointing a gambling disorder youth community coordinator. Additionally, we have prevention coordinators in seven out of the ten regions in Michigan. These coordinators have all undergone curriculum training called Stacked Deck. The objective is for them to acquire knowledge and tools and then spread this information to their respective communities. This could involve various locations such as local community centers, high schools, and middle schools, depending on what they believe is essential in their region. The main focus is to educate and raise awareness among young people about gambling disorder.

There is a concern for additional funding to address the issue of problem gambling awareness.

In order to address this issue, Lucas and other advocates are eager to witness a collaborative effort from all parties involved in the gaming industry.

Lucas expressed his desire for a greater impact on the youth community in terms of raising awareness. Additionally, he emphasized the need for a unified messaging approach among the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Michigan state lottery, and the Michigan Gaming Control Board regarding responsible gambling and gambling disorder. Lucas stressed the importance of maintaining consistency in messaging and working together to achieve a collaborative influence.

To access additional details about youth gambling awareness, please visit the website: www.youthgambling.com.

If you or someone you are acquainted with requires assistance regarding gambling-related concerns, please reach out to the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-270-7117, operated by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

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