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 Youth
Problem Gambling
Although problem gambling has been primarily thought of as an adult
behaviour, gambling activities appear to be particularly attractive
to today's youth. In fact, prevalence studies conducted in the United
States, Canada, New Zealand, Europe, and Australia have noted rising
prevalence rates of youth involvement in both legal and illegal
forms of gambling. While approximately 80% of High School students
report having gambled for money during the past year, 4-8% of adolescents
presently have a serious gambling problem with another 10-14% of
adolescents at-risk for developing a serious gambling problem. Yet,
for most parents and teens, gambling is viewed as an innocuous behaviour
with few negative consequences.
When do youth begin gambling?
Negative consequences
associated with adolescent problem gambling
Reasons for gambling
Our current state of knowledge
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| When
do youth begin gambling?
Top |
| Gambling has become a widely
accepted activity in many cultures. It is not unusual for parents
to purchase lottery tickets for their children or to take them
to play Bingo. Retrospective studies found that adult problem
gamblers reported an earlier onset of gambling, often beginning
between the ages of 10-19. A large scale study of adolescents
in Alberta found that the average problem gambler started gambling
at age 10. Similar results were found in several of our studies,
as well as in other studies conducted throughout the world. |
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| Negative
consequences associated with adolescent problem gambling
Top |
| Problematic gambling among adolescents
has been linked with increased delinquency and criminal behaviour,
as well as the disruption of family and peer relationships.
Problem gambling can also negatively affect overall school performance
and work activities. While youth may present with different
initial symptoms than adults, they nevertheless share similar
characteristics. For example, adolescent problem gamblers report
a preoccupation with gambling, sacrificing school, work, parental
and peer relationships in order to continue gambling. |
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| Reasons
for gambling
Top |
| Contrary to public opinion, our
research and clinical work suggests that money is not the only
reason why adolescents gamble excessively. Rather, it appears
that money is used as a vehicle which enables individuals to
continue playing. When playing, adolescents with serious gambling
problems report that nothing else matters and that they are
able to forget about their problems. The three predominant reasons
adolescents report gambling (a) the excitement it brings, (b)
enjoyment, and (c) to win money. Other reasons adolescents may
gamble include peer pressure, to relieve boredom and to relieve
feelings of depression. |
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| Our
current state of knowledge Top |
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Our program of research is designed to help identify the
risk and protective factors associated with gambling problems
among youth, as well as to identify effective strategies for
the prevention and treatment of youth with serious gambling
problems.
What has research taught us about adolescents with serious
gambling problems
Adolescent
problem gamblers:
- are
more likely to be boys but girls seem to be catching up
- are
overly represented as a group compared to adult problem
gamblers
- are
greater risk takers in general
- often
show signs of lower self esteem
- tend
to report higher rates of depression
- often
gamble to escape problems
- are
more likely to develop an addiction(s)
- seem
to be more excitable and outgoing
- are
more anxious and less self-disciplined
- are
at greater risk for suicide ideation and suicide attempts
- often
replace their regular friends with gambling acquaintances
- have
poor general coping skills
- report
beginning gambling at an early age (approximately 10)
- often
recall an early big win
- report
more daily hassles and major traumatic life events
- often
have parents, relatives, or friends who gamble
- are
more likely to be delinquent and involved in criminal activities
to acquire money
- develop
problems with family and friends
- move
quickly from just gambling with friends and family to problem
gambling
- show
decreased academic performance
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