Betting on Your Child’s Future:

1. Betting on Your Child’s Future: Parents are Partners in Gambling Prevention By Carolyn Pickett, B.S.W. Photos are for illustrative purposes

2. We are Glad You are Here because… of parents report they “rarely” or “never” discuss gambling related issues with their teen. Parents who believe their teen has gambled for money Actual BC Underage Youth participation in gambling(2007) 56% 13% 43%

3. Objectives for Today By the end of the session, you will be able to: • describe the forms of gambling that youth are engaged in and who youth gamble with; • recognize risk factors that contribute to youth developing a gambling problem and your role as partners in prevention; • name three signs of problem gambling in youth as well as understand the cautions around “drawing conclusions;” and • list two pointers on how to talk with kids about gambling.

4. Which of these is “Gambling?” • I’m hosting a Texas Hold’Em tournament this weekend at my house. There is no cost to you. I’ll provide all the chips and the winner will get a free poker set, just for fun. • It costs $5 to get into the local community fair. Your ticket gives you entry into the fair and a chance to win a flat screen t.v. • I’ll bet you my iPod that I can beat you to school on my bike. • I’m collecting money for my soccer team. You can buy one ticket for $2 and 3 tickets for $5. There are three prizes to be given away. • I’m inviting friends over to watch the UFC championships. Everyone bets $5 and chooses a winner, winner takes all.

5. Gambling is… Any experience involving the wagering, betting or risking of money or valuables (jewellery, electronics, clothing, etc.) on an activity of chance, where money or other valuables may be won or lost (unpredictable outcome).

6. Children are exposed to Gambling now more than ever Candy Poker Chips Real Poker Chips

7. Who Do These Games Appeal To?

9. Statistics 56% of all students in the province have gambled by the age of 18 The average age of onset of gambling of youth aged 15 – 18 have participated in at least one gambling activity in the last 2 months The percentage of youth that have gamble online for money but began playing online for free 13.4 43% 13%

10. Youth in BC… …think that practice can improve their chances of winning, and they can win at gambling if they know what they are doing.

11. Profile of a Youth Gambler Where are youth gambling? • Home, friend’s house, school Who are they gambling with? • Friends, family, relatives and siblings What kinds of games are they playing? • Cards (poker), lottery, sports betting and internet* *the most time and money is reportedly spent on online gambling

12. Risk Factors • Development: stage of risk-taking & experimentation • Brain maturation is not complete until about age 24! • Youth now exposed to varied forms of gambling: new rite of passage • Youth are gambling more often than they are using alcohol, drugs or cigarettes, but awareness about the risks is not as high

13. The Role of Parents 67% of youth report that their parents are buying lottery or instant win tickets for them to play Youth who report that their parents have gambled in the past year show a significantly higher participation in various gambling activities than youth who report that their parents have not gambled in the past 12 months. The Good News… Parents are the number one resource that youth say they would turn to if they ever experienced any problems as a result of gambling. Video

14. Youth with Gambling Problems • Come from all social backgrounds and are both male and female • Are often competitive, perfectionist, bright and extroverted • Started gambling at home in their pre-teens (average age is 10) • Began gambling socially by playing cards, betting on sports pools, or playing lottery tickets • Are unaware when a social activity becomes a problem • Developmentally are at a stage of risk-taking and experimentation • Are at increased risk for depression, low self-esteem, suicide ideation and attempts Sources: www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca; Gupta and Derevensky, DECODE

15. Signs of Youth Problem Gambling • Possess gambling materials – dice, playing cards, etc. • Spend time on internet gambling sites • Experience unusual mood swings (can be related to gambling wins/losses) • Exaggerated emotional responses to sports scores • Say that gambling is an easy way to make money • Use money meant for necessities (lunch, bus fare, etc.) to gamble • Lie to family and friends about gambling Adapted from www.notagame.org

16. Signs of Problem Gambling, cont’d. • Have unexplained absences from school • Experience a sudden drop in grades • Unexplained large amount of money in their possession or bragging about gambling wins • Show an unusual interest in newspaper, magazines or other sports print media • Committed an illegal act to obtain money for gambling – including theft from family members • Intense interest in conversations that revolve around gambling. Adapted from www.notagame.org

17. Tips for Talking To Your Child • Find the right time to have a conversation • Ask questions and listen for their attitudes about gambling • Be specific and concrete when you talk about gambling • Be clear about your own values toward gambling • Be careful about the language that you choose to use • Don’t tell them, show them. Lead by example!

18. BC RGS Resources and Services Free Counselling: • Individual, couples, family, day treatment, and group counselling available. • All services are free and confidential. Multilingual services available. Education: • Presentations, workshops, information and training for all age groups. Problem Gambling Help Line: • 1-888-795-6111 (free anywhere in BC). Currently available in 13 languages. • Available 24 hours/ day, 7 days per week. Website: • www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca