Youth Gambling Is Not A Game: Teen Gambling Problems Video

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Video Description

"Youth Gambling is Not a Game" public domain PSA. In the United States and Canada as many as 15.3 million 12--17 year olds have been gambling with or without adult awareness or approval, and 2.2 million of these are experiencing serious gambling-related problems. Yet, there continues to be little public awareness or concern about the extent, or the potential hazards associated with juvenile gambling. Use the information on this web site, http://www.notagame.org to educate yourself about problem gambling. You'll find tools to help you recognize problem gambling, understand its consequences and resources with additional information and treatment options. For immediate help call the confidential Washington State Problem Gambling Helpline at: 1-800-547-6133. What is Problem Gambling? According to the American Psychiatric Association, 10 to 15% of young people asked have significant gambling problems; 6% of the teens who have tried gambling have become pathological gamblers. On average, problem gamblers say they began gambling at about 10 years of age. The age of onset for gambling has dropped so that now, throughout America, the majority of 12-year-olds have already gambled (Jacobs, 2000). Studies of young people over the last 10 years report that about 8% of adolescents, 12 to 17 years old, can be considered problem gamblers. Further, approximately 15% of youths were considered to be at risk of developing problems with gambling. In a powerful illustration of the importance of the 'age of onset' as a risk factor for problem gambling; a Minnesota study showed 60% of high school students who are problem gamblers had gambled in the 6th grade or before. The same study showed there were NO problem gamblers among those who first gambled in the 12th grade (Winters, 1990).

Quotes

"When I stopped drinking in 1992, after years of alcohol abuse, I almost immediately began gambling. It very quickly became a problem which I could not control. I wanted to stop, tried to stop, but couldn’t."

Alan

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Tips & Hints

  • Ask someone to help you

    Don't be put off by this. You can do it on your own but the support of others makes it easier, especially if you've got serious problem...
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  • Limit your access to cash

    About one in five problem gamblers can give it up fairly easily. Most find that for quite a time they can't stop if they have cash in t...
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  • Fill the gap

    Problem gamblers may spend 10-20 hours or more a week gambling. They also spend a lot of time thinking and worrying about their gamblin...
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  • Friends can help

    There is no doubt that if you have help from your spouse and close friends you are more likely to succeed. Make an effort to explain yo...
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  • Relax and look after yourself

    Giving up when you've spent hours each week gambling can make you feel tense and irritable. This can feel even worse when you still go ...
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