Youth Gambling - What Is Gambling?
Gambling is the act of risking money or something else you value on an activity (e.g. clothes, CD's) in which the outcome is uncertain because of the element of chance. Most youth see gambling as risking only money. They don't attribute risking their possessions like CD's, DVD's, clothes, marbles, pokemon, or beyblades as gambling.
For most young people gambling is a way to have fun and make some games more exciting. Most young people do not have a problem with gambling. Many young people choose to not gamble at all because there are other activities they enjoy more.
Types Of Youth Gambling
Most young people would not see themselves as gamblers but most of today's teenagers and young adults have been gambling for years.
These are some of the ways youth and young adults might gamble:
| - | Caps, coin toss, card games (e.g. hold'em poker, Caribbean stud, blackjack), table games (craps, roulette), pogs, marbles, sports betting, sports pools, pro-line, scratch tickets, pull tabs, lottery tickets, video games, racing, street racing, reality TV pools (e.g. Survivor), horse racing, dice, pool, board games, internet, bets, dares, bingo, dog fights, street fights, raffles, toy/stuffed animal machines, laser tag, slot machines, VLT's. |
Legal Age To Gamble In Ontario
We know that many youth start gambling underage. Often their parents, grandparents or older siblings are buying them lottery or scratch tickets, or placing bets for them at the racetrack or on sports select. There are two different ages at which youth can actually begin to gamble legally in Ontario.
| - | Under the age of 19: Not permitted to enter a casino, to purchase or redeem tickets at the racetrack. |
| - | Under the age of 18: Not permitted to purchase or sell break open tickets, scratch or lottery tickets or pro-line. Also, they are not permitted to enter a bingo hall. |
| - | On the Internet: All gambling is illegal for persons of any age. |
What is Responsible Gambling and Harm Reduction?
While we educate young people about the risks of gambling we are not naïve to think that if someone listens to our messages that he or she will choose never to gamble. That is why it important to identify strategies to gamble more safely or to gamble responsibly. These low risk guidelines can be used universally across generations. Sometimes if persons starting to notice a problem with gambling but intend to continue gambling we would make these recommendations and call it harm reduction.
| • | Gambling with money you can afford to lose. |
| • | Gambling sober. |
| • | Knowing that gambling is entertainment and not a way to make money. |
| • | Not trying to win your money back if you lose. |
| • | Deciding how much you can spend ahead of time and sticking to it. |
| • | Leaving your bankcards and credit cards at home. |
| • | Gambling with someone who doesn't have a problem. |
| • | Include gambling only as one of several leisure / fun activities. |
To learn more about youth gambling, give us a call at (519) 673-3242 ext. 234 or
click here to e-mail our gambling intake worker.
