Are You an Educator? Here’s What You Need to Know About Youth Gambling
Published: August 26, 2024
As an educator, you might already know the warning signs of substance use amongst students. Gambling, on the other hand, may be harder to detect. That’s because gambling can begin with something simple like a video or card game, engaging in fantasy sports, or even a lottery ticket. Which is why it’s more important than ever for educators to know what gambling is, the risks involved, and how kids are engaging with it.
Gambling is any act that involves risking money or valuables on the outcome of a game or contest that is mostly determined by chance. The most popular way kids do this is through games on computers and mobile devices. Many times, these games have coins, gems, loot boxes, and skins that replicate real-life gambling situations. Other forms include lottery tickets, betting on sports, internet challenges, or card games. The feelings of excitement that accompany these activities could lead many youths to seek out other avenues to gamble.
It might sound like a stretch, but more youth are coming out with real life recovery stories from gambling disorders. According to CBS News, high school senior Nick would often compete with his friends to see who could make more baskets.
“Before long, he was gambling staggering sums of money on sports, costing him over $700,000 in the past decade. He hit rock bottom last year when he stole $35,000 from his workplace and gambled it away on international tennis and soccer matches – sports he admittedly knew nothing about.”
Stories like these underscore the significance of educating students on the consequences of gambling. With most schools starting back up in August and September, it’s important for educators to know the warning signs of youth gambling and how to talk to their students about their gaming behaviors before it turns into gambling.
Common gambling warning signs in youth include:
- Unexplained absences.
- Sudden drop in grades.
- Less interest in extracurricular activities.
- Withdrawing from friends.
- Lunch money or valuables go missing.
- Neglect of studies or part-time jobs.
- Unusual interest in sports scores or video games.
You can start the conversation with your students using these talking points:
- Explain that gambling results in losses more often than wins. Spending money on things they want is better than losing it all on a bet.
- Speak to students about the risk of gambling just as you would about the dangers of vaping, drug, and alcohol use.
- Teach them to speak up if they suspect gambling is affecting a friend or classmate.
- Publicly express your support for gambling-free youth events.
- Ask questions about their experiences with gambling – and listen to their answers.
Are you an educator wanting to learn more? Change The Game Ohio has an educator guide and in-classroom resources and a quiz for more information on youth gambling warnings, risks, and how to have the conversation with your students.
And if you or a student you know is engaging in gambling, don’t hesitate to call the Problem Gambling Helpline. Trained and understanding specialists are available 24/7 to take your call, with no strings attached. Call 1-800-589-9966 or text 4HOPE to 741741. 24/7 to take your call, with no strings attached. Call 1-800-589-9966 or text 4HOPE to 741741.