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Gambling is becoming more and more prevalent in our society. With the opening of more casinos, the expansion of state lotteries, the increased betting on sports and a wide variety of gambling opportunities available on the Internet, it is not surprising to see an increase in the number of teenage gamblers.

"The earlier a person begins to gamble, the more likely he or she is to become a pathological gambler," says the National Gambling Impact Study Commission. One attraction for youth is that gambling is being marketed as a form of entertainment, like shopping or the movies. Teens, who are vulnerable to peer pressure, use gambling as a way to gain attention from their peers. Kids with low self-esteem see gambling as an opportunity to become popular among their classmates. The rate of pathological gambling among high school and college-age youth is about twice that of adults.

Gambling has become as serious a threat to the healthy lives of teenagers as alcohol, marijuana and other drug use. It may soon overshadow drug usage as the primary destructive addiction among kids aged 12 to 19. Today, between 76% and 91% of all kids will have gambled by the time they are seniors in high school.

The outcome of teenage gambling can vary-from truancy, stealing and aggressive behavior to substance abuse, poor academic achievement and suicidal behavior. Moreover, kids with severe gambling problems are more likely to end up in the criminal justice system. "Gambling is a part of everyday life in Wisconsin," comments Rose Gruber from the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling. "We are seeing a skyrocketing number of internet sites available for gambling that teens are finding."

Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling
1-800-426-2535

National Council on Problem Gambling
1-800-522-4700

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