Teen Gambling on the Rise
Posted on 01. Sep, 2011 by Problem Gambling in Addiction News
Studies are revealing a disturbing trend: Teenage gambling is increasing with no signs of slowing ahead. The proliferation of online gambling possibilities has contributed to the problem, but teens are involved in many types of gambling. Betting on athletics, cards and the lottery all contribute to the potential for danger. Many young people are scheduling regular card games to indulge the growing fascination with gambling. Texas Hold ‘Em is the most popular game at the moment.
Increased gambling among teens has, not surprisingly, led to gambling addictions. As young people play and lose money, they enter the cycle of playing more in order to recoup losses while only digging themselves deeper into a hole of debt from which they can never hope to climb out.
Increased vulnerability to Gambling Addiction
Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to forming addictions and the adrenaline high that comes along with winnings can make gambling appealing. Unfortunately, addictions that form during youth can be much harder to break than addictions that develop in adulthood.
Boys are more likely than girls to become involved in and addicted to gambling. Many young people fall prey to the allure of the "get rich quick" siren call of gambling. However, boys who are competitive, intelligent, strong in math and who enjoy taking risks seem to be more vulnerable than others.
Signs of Teen Gambling Addiction
Parents who worry that their son may be overly involved in gambling and is either addicted already or headed that direction can look for these signs of addiction:
- Is your son preoccupied with gambling? Is it a constant theme of conversation and interest? Are gambling experiences the most important events of his week?
- Unexplained absences from school
- Requests for money without giving sensible explanations as to why it is needed
- Stealing money from parents
- Sharp declines in your son’s grades at school
- Who is he spending most of his time with? Is he isolating himself from everyone except friends with whom he gambles?
- Unexplainable mood changes
- Poor sleep and hygiene habits
Preventing & Treating Gambling Addiction in Teens
Parents should talk with their children, particularly sons, about the consequences of a gambling addiction. This can be a preventive measure. Discuss as a family the potential risks that gambling and addiction pose. Talk about how addictions distract a person from meaningful relationships with friends and family, and how schoolwork and grades get pushed aside until it seems overwhelming to reestablish solid academic footing. Advise young people of the dangerous paths to which money problems can lead. Few young men who like to gamble with their friends foresee a scenario where they may be tempted into illegal behavior because they are unable to pay gambling debts.
Lastly, parents are acting in the child’s best interest when they point out that gambling addiction can lead a person into associations with people of bad character. Bad company can corrupt good morals.
If parents recognize signs of addiction they should take swift and confident action to intervene. The teen most likely will not admit that they are addicted, but it is up to the parent to decide that things must change. Insisting that the teenager meets with a counselor – a gambling specialist if possible – is a key intervention. The parent also needs to ensure that all access to cash and credit cards has been cut off. If the teen attends a Gamblers Anonymous meeting, there are often Gamanon meetings for parents to attend nearby.
