Ep. 92 - High Stakes: Why Youth Are At Risk For Gambling Problems And How To Help
“We need to educate youth coming up into the age of majority about how harmful gambling can be and how easily it can take everything from you. ”
Youth gambling is a growing but often overlooked issue with potentially serious consequences. With easy online access, gambling-like features in video games, and an explosion of advertisements for sports betting, young people are exposed to and getting involved with gambling - often without realizing the risks.
In this episode of Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems, we learn why young brains are particularly vulnerable to problem gambling. We help you to recognize warning signs and put safeguards in place to reduce the risk of gambling harms.
You hear a personal story from Meghan. She tells us that gambling got out of control very quickly for her. She started to lie, steal and betray people she loved. While this was going on, she felt defeated and unable to ask for help. However, she did get help and stopped gambling. As Meghan rebuilds her life, she is speaking up to advocate that we do more as a society to protect young people and the next generation from gambling harms.
You also hear from two experts on gambling and the brain. Deirdre Querney, MSW, has worked as a gambling counsellor for the past twenty-five years. She’s joined by her colleague, Dr. Iris Balodis, who is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University and leads a research lab focused on gambling disorder and the brain. Together, they produced Brain Connections to share information about how problem gambling affects the brain. As a new addition to this website, they share the latest research and produced free resources on youth brains and video games.
Listen to episode 92 of Fold em and hear about:
How youth are gambling - even when they aren’t legally of age
Why young brains are particularly vulnerable to gambling getting out of control
How to recognize warning signs of a gambling problem
Safeguards to protect youth and emerging adults from gambling harms
LISTEN to EPISODE 92
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Where Are Youth Gambling?
In Canada, the legal age to gamble is either 18 or 19 depending on where you live. This might lead us to think that gambling isn’t a problem for young people. However, research tells us that young people are gambling, even before they are legally able to do so. More importantly, they are being exposed to gambling-like features in video games and advertisements specifically targeting young and new gamblers - all of which is drawing them (and their brains) into gambling.
Here are common ways that youth are gambling:
Sports pools, private bets and fantasy sport
Poker games with friends and family
Esports: betting on video game competitions
Gambling-like features in video games: free-to-play casino-style games in video games and in-games purchases with random outcomes, such as loot boxes
Online gambling: “free” to play gambling games, online gambling and sports betting. Often with enticements to new players
Research tells us that early exposure to gambling increases the risk for gambling problems in adulthood. Even if young people aren’t legally able to gamble, it’s important to pay attention to the ways it is a part of their lives.
Why Are Youth More Vulnerable to Gambling Problems?
Dr. Balodis tells us that young brains are vulnerable to gaming and gambling problems because the reward network is easily activated, but the parts of the brain that “applies the brakes” isn’t yet fully developed. This means that the brain will be drawn to and light up with new experiences. With gambling and other ‘winning’ experiences, the brain will light up with excitement and want more. However, young brains aren’t developed enough to help with slowing down or stopping gambling.
Here are some other reasons why young people are at risk for gambling getting out of control:
Marketing and Exposure: research is showing that youth are frequently seeing gambling ads and this is associated with not only trying gambling, but meeting the criteria for risky gambling.
“Everyone is Doing it”: young people are more at risk to try something and keep at it when friends are.
Escape from Stress or Emotional Pain: gambling can provide an escape from experiences of conflict, loneliness, anxiety, ADHD, bullying and low-self esteem.
Flow: gambling can produce a trance-like state where you are super focused, lose track of time and money, and are more likely to take risks. The brains of young people are less able to put on the brakes and it feels particularly uncomfortable to break a sense of flow.
Lack of Awareness: unlike substance abuse, the risks of gambling are not commonly taught in school or advertised, making youth unaware of the risks.
What are the Signs of a Gambling Problem in Youth?
Deirdre Querney tells us that recognizing gambling problems in youth can be challenging. Young people don’t have the same responsiblities as adults. As a result, a problem can go undetected for longer when a young gambles doesn’t have a mortgage to pay, long-term relationships, children of their own, or full-time jobs.
The signs of a gambling problem often look different for youth and emerging adults. Here are key signs to watch for:
Gambling to escape problems
Constantly thinking or dreaming about gambling
Prioritizing gambling over other activities (schoolwork or time with friends)
Not telling the truth about gambling or taking money to gamble
Feeling irritable, anxious or depressed when you can’t gamble
Losing control over the time or money you spend gambling
Neglecting self-care, e.g. eating, sleeping or hygiene
If you are recognizing signs of gambling problem in yourself or someone you care about, take a risk and talk to a trusted person about it. At the bottom of this blog are a list of places you can contact for help.
What Can We Do to Reduce Gambling Harms for Youth?
In this episode of Fold em, Meghan tells us that gambling got out of control for her - and it can happen to anyone. It took courage for Meghan to share her personal story to raise awareness about gambling issues. Most people keep these problems silent, which means that young people don’t have an accurate picture of what gambling problems look like, how fast things get out of control, and the impact on finances, relationships, mental health and self-esteem.
However, the good news is that all the advertising about online gambling and sports betting is giving us lots of opportunities to talk about gambling problems - in our homes, classrooms, locker rooms, and with politicians.
Here are some effective strategies to reduce gambling harms for youth:
Start the Conversation Early: Help children and teens to recognize gambling in video games and with scratch and 50/50 tickets, online and sports gambling. Tell them that it can get out of control for anyone and help them to understand warning signs.
Monitor and Set Limits with Devices and Video Games: Avoid games with gambling-like features and loot boxes. See the ESRB ratings for video games. Model taking breaks from devices and games.
Encourage Balance: Model and involve young people in offline activities where gambling is not an option. This can help with self care, physical fitness and building community which are all protective factors.
Explain the Facts: Talk about the reality of gambling behind the images seen in advertisements. Explain the odds and that gambling is a losing game over time in which you pay (often steeply) for the opportunity to play. Research and share how much revenue is being generated by gambling for the industry and government.
Teach Money Management: Model and teach young people about tracking their spending, budgeting and how to reach financial goals. Talk about the risks of speculative investing including cryptocurrency and Bitcoin.
To hear more about how Meghan has addressed a gambling problem, as well as important information and concrete strategies from our experts on gambling and the brain, Deirdre and Iris, listen to episode 92 of Fold em. Listen now by clicking on the green play button at the top of this blog or the red Listen Now to Fold em button at the bottom.
Related Fold em Episodes
Deirdre and Iris have joined four previous episodes of Fold em to teach us about gambling and the brain. Learn about why it is so hard to stop gambling, how to deal with cravings and prevent switching addictions, as well as how to lift your mood and find replacements after you stop gambling. Listen now to these previous episodes Fold em by clicking on the play buttons below. To find out more visit their website, www.brainconnections.ca
What Support is Available to Help With Gambling Concerns?
To learn more about gambling concerns and how to access resources and support, go to the home page of this website or listen to other episodes of Fold em.
Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.
We welcome your feedback and ideas for topics for upcoming episodes. Reach out through the Contact Us page on this website or through email at Foldempodcast@gmail.com.
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