Youth
& Gambling: A Few Facts
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The rates of problem gambling among youth are 2-4
times higher than the rates for adult gambling. (Carlson & Moore,
1998; Gupta & Derevensky, 1998a; Shaffer & Hall, 1996)
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Many pathological gamblers report having started
gambling at an early age- approximately age 10 (Gupta& Derevensky,
2001; Gupta & Derevensky, 1998a; Gupta & Derevensky, 1997; Wynne,
Smith, & Jacobs, 1996).
Nebraska Risk and Protective Factor Study,
2003
Click Here for Study
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Of the students who
gamble, the most common age of initiation is 10 or younger
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Males are more than
twice as likely as females to have gambled in the past year
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Males are three times
more likely to respond to two or more “problem gambling” questions
than females
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Gambling involvement
is positively correlated with substance abuse and all other risk
factors for substance use
Teen problem gamblers have higher rates of:
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Crime (theft,
robbery, embezzlement)
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School problems
(e.g., lower grades, truancy, behavior issues)
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Family problems
(e.g., withdrawal, behavior issues)
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Peer relationship
problems
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Legal and money
troubles
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Depression; suicidal
thoughts and attempts
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Dissociative,
“escape” behaviors
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Risk for co-occurring
addiction(s) including alcohol and substance abuse
Source: Gupta and
Derevensky, eGambling Youth Gambling: A Clinical and Research
Perspective
Source can be found Here
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Today, children and
adolescents are educated about the dangers inherent in smoking,
alcohol, and drug consumption. Few, however, are informed to
understand the potentially addictive qualities inherent in
gambling activities. Many schools and religious groups
inadvertently endorse gambling by sponsoring bingo or casino
nights for both adults and youth as social events and for
fund-raising. Many adults consider gambling a harmless behavior
for youth, preferable to drinking or drugs.
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Youth can hide
gambling problems well. There are no outward , noticeable signs
as there are with other addictive behaviors (e.g. needle marks,
slurred speech).
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