Gift Responsibly Holiday Lottery Campaign

This holiday season, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is warning people that “Lottery tickets are not child’s play.” The Council on Chemical Abuse is joining NCPG in raising awareness about the risks of youth gambling and the dangers of buying lottery tickets for children.

While lottery tickets are often perceived as a fun and easy gift, they can unwittingly make children and teens more vulnerable to future gambling problems. According to the NCPG:

“Youth problem gambling is a growing public health concern. Even though gambling activities are legally restricted to adults, and laws for purchase, play, and redemption vary by state, province, and territory, there is clear evidence that underage youth continue to actively participate in gambling..”

Berks County Youth Gambling Data

Berks County youth are not immune to this risk. Data from the 2023 Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) revealed that a total of 19.8% of the Berks County middle school and high school students surveyed had engaged in “gambling for money or anything of value in their lifetime” (compared to 21.7% at the state level), according to the survey report.

“Despite being promoted as a harmless form of entertainment, gambling operates on the same reward pathways and the same neurotransmitters as ATOD (alcohol, tobacco and other drugs) addiction. Youth gambling is associated with alcohol and drug use, truancy, low grades, and risk-taking behavior,” authors of the survey report stated.

Need Help for a Gambling or Gaming Problem? Call 1-800 GAMBLER (426-2537) or visit the PA Council website.

Need some gift ideas? We’ve got you covered!

We’ve compiled a list of fun, inexpensive gifts that will bring joy to the young people on your shopping list, without breaking your wallet.