Youth Gambling - Underage Gambling
Legal Ages 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. |
You wouldn't buy beer or cigarettes for young kids so why would you buy them scratch or lottery tickets?
What Kids and Teens Are Doing In Thames Valley
The gambling activities below (outlined in red) are illegal for underage kids and internet gambling is illegal for anyone in Canada.
| • | 7-10-coin toss, marbles, dice, scratch tickets. |
| • | 11-13-cards, coin toss, sports pools, pro-line, scratch tickets. |
| • | 14-16-pro-line, cards, hold'em poker, dice, sports pools, internet, scratch tickets, lottery tickets. |
| • | 17---pro-line, cards, hold'em poker, scratch tickets, lottery tickets, casino gambling, internet. |
| • | 18-pro-line, cards, hold'em poker, scratch tickets, lottery tickets, casino gambling, internet. |
Texas Hold'em Poker has quickly become the game of choice for male adolescents and young adults. In addition to informal games gamblers play in tournaments, illegal gambling dens and on the internet.
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.
