NCPG finds new allies to tackle problem gambling in youths

The National Council of Problem Gambling (NCPG) has teamed up with the International Center for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University to launch a new public awareness campaign that focuses on the dangers of exposing youths to the pernicious impacts of gambling at an early age.

The two organizations have decided to work together in order to highlight the problem that surrounds buying lottery tickets for children, arguably the least dangerous products, but one that could lead to problems later in adulthood. A total of 63 lottery and 53 non-lottery organizations have decided to team up and join the efforts launched by the University and the NCPG.

Commenting on this new initiative, NCPG Executive Director Keith Whyte said that the organization is thrilled to elicit that strong support from the lottery and non-lottery community and participants. The campaign itself is dubbed the "2022 Gift Responsibly Campaign" which aims to reduce the risks that consumers expose each other to even if it’s not intended.

Whyte is confident in the meaningful undertaking and the significance of the operation, which will allow more emphasis to be put on gift-gifting and lottery tickets shared with children, which could lead to problem gambling, which in turn, is a growing public health issue. His statements are backed by research, as exposure to gambling in childhood means that a person is far more likely to become a problem gambler later in their life.

Many adults, though, continue to expose children to lottery products as they are not aware that those seemingly innocuous gifts could have a pernicious effect on youths’ mental health and well-being, and their attitude towards gambling later in life. Therefore, NCPG and McGill University, along with all willing partners, will spend the next weeks raising awareness about the dangers of buying tickets for children.

All partners will commit to responsible gambling practices and teach communities how to act in a way that protects consumers, and youths. There will be different campaign messages delivered through TV and radio announcements, social messaging, and digital advertising.

Retailer training and in-store signage are also among the viable options that the partners will seek to explore together in order to help tackle the problem once and for all. International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors Director Jeffrey Derevensky welcomed the opportunity to help tackle this form of problem gambling and raise awareness among adults about the issues of exposing children to gambling from an early age.

The NCPG has been undertaking a series of projects to help tackle problem gambling and gambling addiction across the United States. The latest project is another confident step in this direction.

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