School of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge

Conference 2003: Prevention of Problem Gambling

Kids Don’t Gamble…Wanna Bet?

Elizabeth M. George

Kids Don’t Gamble:Wannabet? Overview

Gambling: A Historical Perspective

Real Stories About Real People

Why Do Kids Gamble?

Danger Signs

Advancing the Issue: Research, Articles, Reports and Think Tanks

Advancing the Issue: Practical Points of Prevention

Advancing the Issue: The Media

Advancing the Issue: Collaboration

Andy’s Story

Why Do Kids Gamble?

Excerpted from: Wanna Bet? Everything you Ever Wanted to Know About Teen Gambling but Never Thought to Ask™

TM

Make Sure the Deck is Stacked in Their

Favor

www.nati.org

Danger Signs of a Youth Gambling Problem

• Money missing from parents or siblings;• Selling of prized possessions and not being able to

account for the money;• Repeatedly reporting lost or stolen items a parent

would give the youngster money to replace;• Indications of shoplifting – unexplained new

garments or merchandise tags;• Marked decrease in activities that were once held

in highest regard;• Changes in school grades and behavior not

explained by other reasons;• Being evasive about where they have been.

Advancing the Issue: Research, Articles, Reports and Think

Tanks

Research, Scientific Articles

Alberta Gaming Research Center

University of Lethbridge

Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse

Centre for Addiction & Mental Health

Addictions Foundation of Manitoba

Alberta Alcohol & Drug Abuse Commission

Wynne Resource

Harvard Medical

The Ken & Randy Team

Advancing the Issue:Practical Points of Prevention

Research, Scientific Articles

Peer, R

eviewed

Data

RE

PO

RT

S

Public Awareness Think Tanks

Advancing the Issue: The Media

Research, Scientific Articles

Peer, R

eviewed

Data

RE

PO

RT

S

Public Awareness Think Tanks

Media

DAVID LETTERMAN’STop Ten Signs Your Kid is Addicted to

Gambling10. Keeps asking if he can double down on cookies. 9. Has converted hamster’s treadmill into a crude

roulette wheel. 8. For a six year old, he seems to know way too

much about jai-alai. 7. His school lunches are comped. 6. Knows the Vegas odds on where Waldo might

be. 5. There’s a bookie sleeping in his tree house. 4. Changed his middle name to “The Greek”. 3. He’s 9, and he’s dating a showgirl. 2. Says things like “Daddy needs a new

skateboard.” 1. He likes to ride Amtrak.

Advancing the Issue: Collaboration

Research, Scientific Articles

Peer, R

eviewed

Data

RE

PO

RT

S

Public Awareness Think Tanks

MediaCollaborations

With Gaming

Summary