Underage Gamblers

by Jerry "Jet" Whittaker

January 25, 2006

Underage gamblers

From the time of the ancient Chinese dynasties to the Roman Empire to the America’s colonial days to the virtual wagering in the internet, gambling is known to have given rise to many complex and thorny issues to each and every culture that has harnessed it. History has reveled that throughout this long journey the game of gambling which has promised to generate economic benefits is always associated with one or the other societal problem. Some recent additions to these kinds of problems are problem and underage gambling. These few problems have overshadowed the tremendous benefits of gambling like raising the government revenue to a large extent and also providing a small source of income to many unemployed peoples around the world.

Something more about underage gambling

The huge increase in the amount of underage gambling in the world is one of the main reasons to keep teens off the computers while on a holiday break. The present scenario suggests that teen and students of today’s generation are increasingly getting hooked up by the popularity of the online gambling. The experts in the related field are worried that more and more young people are becoming addicted to gambling, especially those who are under the legal age decided for gambling. A recent survey done by the Harvard’s medical school division of addiction has reveled that nearly 1.3 percent of the general adult population of the world consists of a serious gambling disorder. The same research has also showed that young peoples like students and teens are at a disproportionately higher risk of developing a gambling disorder. Today it can be observed that low tech and non institutionalized form of gambling such as cards, sports and games of personal skill such as pool are becoming very popular among the young gamblers of the world. The reason behind the young gamblers becoming so vulnerable to gambling is the thought that gambling is glamorous and can provide the avenues to wealth, power and freedom.

Actions for preventing underage gambling

As an increasing threat to the society it’s the duty of the state to help prevent the citizens from facing the problems of problem and underage gambling. As an immediate action to this issue, now it can be seen that the state and provincial lotteries are coming up with a host of responsible gaming tools to dispose of into public. Some of these tools are clear and direct signs that no one can allow or support underage gambling, point of purchase signs i.e. preventing kids from purchasing lottery tickets and lastly a rigorous awareness program for lottery retailers letting them understand the after effects of underage or problem gambling. In this way if all these steps are carried out sincerely and effectively then underage gambling can be rooted out altogether from the society.

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