A new school year often brings new opportunities. Whether you’re entering high school, college, trade school, or the workforce, this season is a chance to set goals and focus on the future.
It’s also a good time to think about the choices we make every day.
Many young people understand the risks of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Fewer think about the risks associated with gambling. Yet gambling has become easier to access than ever before. Sports betting, fantasy sports, online games, and social betting opportunities appear almost everywhere.
That is why gambling prevention matters.
Prevention Is About Protecting Your Goals
When people hear the word “prevention,” they sometimes think it means being told what not to do. In reality, prevention is about making informed decisions that support goals.
Think about what matters most. Maybe it’s graduating, earning a degree, building a career, saving money, or strengthening relationships. The choices we make today can help move us closer to those goals. Every choice has the potential to shape the future.
Understanding the Risks
Research from New York State found that nearly one in four students in grades 7-12 reported gambling during the past year. In addition, many young people reported that gambling would be easy for them to access.
Gambling opportunities often appear harmless, which is not true because gambling is aways risky. A friendly wager. A sports bet. A fantasy league. A lottery ticket purchased by someone else. A game that encourages players to spend money for random rewards.
These activities may not seem risky at first. However, they can normalize gambling behaviors and make future gambling feel less concerning. Understanding these risks can help us make informed choices.
Build Protective Factors for Success
A way to prevent gambling related harm is to stay connected to low risk, community centered people and activities. Sports, clubs, volunteer work, creative hobbies, faith communities, and campus organizations can all provide a sense of belonging. These activities help build confidence, strengthen social connections, and create opportunities for growth.
Strong relationships also matter. Friends, family members, mentors, coaches, and teachers can offer support when life becomes stressful. Reaching out for guidance to ask questions, or to learn more shows strength, reduces stigma and creates advocates to help with gambling harms. You never know when you or someone you know may need to learn more about resources available.
You Have More Influence Than You Think
Young adults influence one another every day. The way you talk about gambling, money, and risk can affect the people around you.
Understanding the risks related to gambling and resources available can help create a culture that values informed decisions and healthy choices. We can be part of the solution by supporting someone who could be struggling and knowing where someone can go for help.
Investing in Your Future
Prevention is not about fear. It is about opportunity.
Every healthy choice you make is an investment in the future. By understanding the risks of gambling, staying connected to supportive people, and focusing on goals, we can build a strong foundation for success.
Our future is full of possibilities. The decisions we make today can help us get there.
Support Services
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.
Learn more about gambling harms. Visit the NYCPG Training Center to view upcoming trainings as well as a list of self-paced trainings available to all.