Gift Responsibly This Holiday Season
Published: December 4, 2017
So it’s just a lottery ticket, right? What’s the big deal?
Actually, it is illegal in Ohio for anyone under 18 to gamble, so giving a lottery ticket as a gift is not only age-inappropriate, it’s technically illegal. But there’s more to it than that.
According to information provided by the National Council on Problem Gambling and the International Centre for Youth Gambling and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University, “Results from recent studies show a growing number of high school students reportedly receive one or more lottery tickets or scratch cards as gifts. Additionally, research shows that the majority of adolescents gamble at least occasionally and that lottery products may be a gateway to problem gambling. Youth gambling has been shown to be linked to other risk-taking and addictive behaviors such as smoking, drinking and drug use.”
Research also states that adult problem gamblers frequently say they began gambling during childhood, often at ages 9 or 10, and with other family members, which is why modeling responsible gambling behavior is especially important for parents.
In the meantime, here are some more age-appropriate stocking stuffer suggestions:
- Books
- Candy
- Crayons
- Earbuds
- Fidget Spinners
- Hot Chocolate
- Lip Balm
- Markers
- Modeling Clay
- Pencils
- Small Toys
- Socks
- Stickers
- Stress Balls