As the Super Bowl approaches, excitement is in the air. With all this excitement, youth may feel pressured to participate in sports gambling with family and peers. Therefore, this game can serve as a reminder of the growing issue of underage gambling. It’s essential that we take proactive steps to help protect young people from the risks of gambling and encourage healthier choices. Here’s a look at how we can minimize these risks and create positive, supportive environments for youth and young adults.
Understanding the Risks of Sports Gambling
Sports betting, especially mobile sports betting (MSB), has become very popular. This is especially true during major events like the Super Bowl. To young people, it can feel like gambling is just part of the excitement.
Empowering young people is essential to help them recognize that the act of gambling triggers the brain’s reward system. This can create feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. These feelings can lead to an increased desire to gamble, which, over time, can become an addiction with devastating consequences.
The rise of mobile sports betting means that sports gambling is mobile and therefore, it is more accessible than ever. This increased access to sports gambling has been linked to a quicker onset of gambling addiction. It’s crucial to educate young people about the warning signs of problem gambling. These signs include an increased urge to gamble, lying about betting habits, and prioritizing gambling over other important aspects of life.
By being aware of these red flags, we can take action before these problems lead to consequences. Starting a conversation about the risks of gambling, seeking help when needed, and knowing that support is available can make a world of difference for youth in preventing gambling issues from becoming more serious.
Empowering Informed Decisions
Learning to make their own decisions can be both exciting and overwhelming to young people. From social media to ads on TV and in apps, the media we consume daily often includes messages that normalize gambling. Sometimes this makes it seem like gambling is harmless. A recent study found that 37% of adolescents reported engaging in sports gambling in the past year (Winters and Derevensky, 2019), highlighting how widespread this behavior is, but also that a minority of young people are gambling.
Making decisions can be difficult for our young people. This is because their brains are still developing, especially the areas responsible for evaluating risks and consequences. This makes it harder for them to see the potential harm in gambling. It’s important to help young people understand that, even if something seems fun or exciting in the moment, it may not be good for them. We encourage young people to recognize the difference between fun, casual activities and risky behaviors that could lead to future harm.
Starting a Conversation
We all play a critical role in guiding young adults, including the youth and young adults themselves. Many activities, like Super Bowl boards, mobile sports betting and friendly wagers may seem harmless. However, younger people don’t always fully grasp the potential consequences of sports gambling.
One way to approach this is by having open and honest discussions with youth, young adults, parents and community influencers about gambling. Discuss the odds of winning, and the potential consequences of gambling. When our young people understand that gambling can lead to real-world consequences, they are more likely to make safer choices.
Setting the Example
Our communities have become places where sports betting and fantasy leagues are a growing part of the culture. Watch parties and special promotions and incentives are encouraging the downloading of sports betting apps. These activities can feel like they are part of the social fabric. However, it’s important to recognize not all young people are engaging in these activities.
Collectively, youth, young adults, parents, and community influencers have a responsibility to model healthy behaviors. The normalization of gambling activities can blur the lines between entertainment and a potential problem. We can all set the example and act as role models for gambling-free fun.
Hosting gambling-free events, supporting youth programs, and finding alternative activities can replace urges or participating in gambling. Through these actions, we can all make a significant impact in protecting our communities.
Help and Support Services
It’s important for everyone to know that there is help and hope. If youth and/or young adults are showing signs of gambling or problem gambling, anyone can reach out for help. This includes the youth and/or young adults themselves, as well as community influencers.
If you find yourself struggling with gambling harm, or if you suspect someone you know is facing such challenges, don’t hesitate to seek help. For 24/7 support, call the NYS OASAS HOPEline at 1-877-846-7369 or text 467369. Or choose your county using our interactive map on our NYProblemGamblingHELP.org HOME PAGE to see the contact information for the Problem Gambling Resource Center (PGRC) in your region.
By taking proactive steps to educate and support our young people, we can help them make healthier, more informed decisions about gambling. Let’s work together to ensure that the next generation grows up with the knowledge and tools they need to make decisions that protect their future.