Today, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) joined forces with the National Council on Problem Gambling and the International Center for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University, to urge parents and others to take the time to select meaningful holiday gifts and stocking stuffers for kids, versus buying unsuitable, quick-fix gifts, like lottery scratch off tickets, or other items not intended for children, which have the potential to cause harm.

According to Jennifer Kruse, FCCG’s Executive Director, “The idea that a game of poker among teens or the gifting of a lottery ticket to a minor is harmless, simply because they are not smoking or drinking, is sending the wrong message that somehow gambling is acceptable for underage persons. It is essential to remember that gambling is strictly prohibited for individuals under the age of 18 in the Sunshine State. Of equal importance, attaching a lottery ticket to a child’s gift or including a lottery ticket in a child’s holiday stocking can actually cause harm, with research findings on this very issue directly correlating the receipt of lottery tickets as gifts during childhood with risky, problematic gambling behavior later in life.”

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While most people don’t have problems when they gamble, more young people today are developing problems with gambling than ever before, due to the availability, accessibility, and acceptability in our society. Many adults are unaware of the non-traditional ways that gambling is now popping up online, such as through video games – where casino gambling takes place within the game or players purchase upgrades that increase the likelihood of success or extend the game (extra chances or lives) – all of which are forms of gambling. Research findings from one study noted that those with problem gambling behaviors at age 30 were three times more likely to have engaged in a greater variety of gambling activities as youth. Thus, children receiving lottery tickets as holiday gifts have an increased risk for the development of later-life problem gambling, as this represents exposure to another type of gambling activity .

Youth between the ages of 13-17 are among the fastest growing groups of problem gamblers, with prevalence rates in some states twice that of the adult population. According to Kruse, “Data collected on the FCCG’s 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine supports this assertion, as 36% of problem gamblers seeking help last year said they started gambling before the age of 25, and 10% stated they began gambling prior to reaching the legal age of 18. Further, more than one-third (34%) reported the onset of gambling-related problems began before the age of 30. Whether or not folks are comfortable with the idea, children can and do engage with gambling. The FCCG urges parents, educators, and others not to dismiss problem gambling from the long list of concerns regarding today’s youth.”

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Additionally, Florida prevalence research among adolescents’ ages 13-17 reveal that at-risk, problem and compulsive gamblers acknowledge that the first person they gambled with was a family member, often identifying a grandparent, parent, sibling, or other relative. “Parents and other adults must remember that just as gifting a child a bottle of alcohol or a pack of cigarettes is inappropriate, so too is the gifting of lottery tickets to minors. We must create safeguards to help protect our youth and ensure they understand that gambling is a risky behavior, as is the consumption or use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco,” Kruse concluded.

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The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, Inc. (FCCG) is a not-for-profit corporation under contract with Florida State government, serving as the designated state affiliate of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). In addition to operating the 24-hour Problem Gambling HelpLine (888-ADMIT-IT), the FCCG increases awareness of problem gambling through education and outreach efforts throughout the state of Florida, advocates on behalf of the public regarding issues relating to problem gambling, and provides programs, resources, and other population specific supports to those in need of assistance.

i. Kundu, Priya V eta l. “Gambling-Related Attitudes and Behaviors in Adolescents Having Received Instant (Scratch) Lottery Tickets as Gifts” Journal of Adolescent Health: Official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine vol. 52, 4 (2013): 456-64.
ii. Caribonneau, R., Viataro, F., Brendgen, M., Tremblay, RE., Variety of Gambling Activities from Adolescence to Age 30 and Association with Gambling Problems, December 2015.
iii. Shapira, N., Ferguson, M., Frost-Pineda, K., Gold, M., Gambling and Problem Gambling Among Adolescents in Florida, A Report to the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, February 2003.

The season of holiday gifting is up on us. Everyone is frantically trying to tackle responsibilities of work, planning for the holidays, and keeping their family and home afloat. While all this is going on, people are trying to get last minute gifts, and we want to remind everyone that scratch-off tickets and other gambling gifts are not healthy choices for youth.

Youth, which includes anyone under the mental mature age of 24, are in a time of great change and growth. Their bodies are rapidly developing, which is especially true for their brains. The human brain doesn’t fully develop until the age of about 24. Until this time, youth are not fully capable of making the best choices for themselves. This is where supportive adults come in.

Outfit your favorite card player or poker room with a personalized poker gift from GiftsForYouNow. Customized poker gifts for the card playing man on your list are sure to put a smile on his face. Watch him become the envy of all of his friends when he hangs his new personalized wall sign in his poker room during card night.

As an adult in a youth’s life, you have the opportunity to guide and inspire them to make healthy choices. You can do this with every choice you make, such as gifts you give during the holidays.

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Gifts for the Developing Brain

There are many gifts that would be great for a youth’s developing brain.

• Puzzles are great for a developing brain. From crossword puzzles to jigsaw puzzles, these activities promote brain development as youth try to solve puzzles of color, shapes, words and language.
• Language learning has been said to be a great tool for connecting humanity, as well as promoting a healthy brain. There are many different language learning tools. There are books, apps and online classrooms that would be great gifts for youth.
• A Rubik’s Cube is a great gift as well. This will take youth time to learn and figure out. And, once they do, they’ll be able to learn different way to solve the Rubik’s Cube.

Gifts for Physical Health

Another way to promote a healthy brain is through gifts for physical health.

• Cookbooks are great gifts for kids. Kids are notorious for being picky eaters, but they tend to eat what they make. There’s a growing selection cookbooks geared towards the younger person’s taste, as well as their cooking skills. This can help youth eat healthier and take care of their bodies.
• There are many gifts related to physical activities that you can buy. Anything from a new bicycle to a new soccer ball are great gifts to get youth excited about enjoying outdoor physical activities.
• Finally, get them some new gear to wear. New coats, sneakers or sweatpants are great gifts to get kids prepped for an exciting time of physical activity.

Gifts for Emotional Wellness

Let’s not forget their emotional development.

• Depending on their age, journaling tools could be a great gift. These range from journals with quotes and questions to spark interest, to simple cards with daily thought-provoking statements. All of which could be great gifts for youths’ emotional development.
• Since we’re on the topic of writing, any book could be a great gift. Reading a book helps youth relax while using their brain to read. You can focus on a specific type of book, or just get a random book for them to read. With a random book choice, you may spark their interest in a new topic.
• Finally, you can give the gift of an experience. Getting tickets for a museum exhibit or planning a camping trip are two examples of low-cost gifts that help you connect with your youth, as well as place them in a positive environment.

Whatever healthy gift you choose, you may also be interested in talking to your youth about the risks and dangers of underage gambling. Having a conversation with youth give then some guidance as they navigate through friendships and activities that may focus on gambling. Your chat can make the difference. For facts, information and videos demonstrating everyday conversations with youth about gambling visit Talk2Kids.org.

Hopefully this blog post will reduce some of the holiday stress of getting a great gift so we can all enjoy the time before it quickly passes us by. Happy holidays, everyone!