Gambling and Your Kids- The younger they start the more likely they are to have problems

Did you know that less than half of parents ever discuss gambling issues with their teen and that only 13 percent of parents believe that their teen actually gambles for money?

The reality is that kids from all social backgrounds gamble at home, a friend’s house, or school with friends, family, relatives, and siblings. In most cases, their parents will actually buy their lottery tickets. They play cards, sports betting, lottery, and the Internet, where most money is spent in on-line gambling. In New York State, 48% of 7-12^th graders reported they had gambled in the past year. In Putnam County, 44.3% of 8-12^th graders reported they had gambled in the past year.

Youth Gambling International found young adults from 18 to 21 are three times more likely to have problems associated with gambling. In NYS approximately 140,000 adolescents have had problems due to their gambling. An additional 10% of youth in NYS are at risk for problem gambling.

Youth are exposed to gambling now more than ever before and they think it is normal. Fortunately, children also indicate that they would turn to their parents for help if they ever experienced problems with gambling. That is why parents play a crucial role in educating their kids about gambling and its risks of addiction. Visit www.putnamncadd.org/gambling to find out more about problem gambling and how to talk to your kids about this growing concern.

On March 4, 2014, the Putnam County Legislature will pass a Proclamation for Problem Gambling Awareness Month. The goal of this awareness month is to educate the general public and health care professionals about the warning signs of problem gambling and raise awareness about the help that is available both locally and nationally.

The National Council on Alcoholism and Other Drug Dependencies/Putnam will be offering parent outreach and education services related to youth problem gambling as part of a statewide initiative to spread awareness. The project focuses on raising awareness through face to face parent education sessions, information dissemination, and through various advertising efforts including web, television, and print. For more information and referral services, please call 845-225-4646.