Ohio organizations caution parents on hidden gambling risks

• Change The Game Ohio and Ohio for Responsible Gambling joined forces to release a resource called the Youth Gambling Prevention Gift Guide
• The guide warns about how seemingly harmless presents may fuel risky and sometimes gambling-related habits
• The resource is suitable for parents, families, carers and educators and seeks to protect young adults and children from exposure to potential gambling-like products or features

Just in time for the holiday season, two organizations in Ohio joined forces to warn about the risks associated with gambling-like products for children and encouraged families to consider age-appropriate and responsible initiatives.

The Youth Gambling Prevention Gift Guide helps parents

The effort is at the epicenter of a collaboration between Change The Game Ohio and Ohio for Responsible Gambling.

United, the two organizations, released the Youth Gambling Prevention Gift Guide.

The new guide was described in a press release as a "resource designed to help adults understand how seemingly harmless presents can fuel risky habits."

The release of the Youth Gambling Prevention Gift Guide seeks to limit the exposure of children and young adults to gambling-like features, including apps, games or digital add-ons.

As many behavioral health specialists have previously warned, the exposure of children to gambling-like features, such as loot boxes, which use a mechanic similar to slot machines, may in some cases, lead to gambling-related problems later in life.

Ohio for Responsible Gambling and Change The Game Ohio warned that children exposed to gambling-like features before the age of 12 are four times more likely to develop gambling problems.

At the same time, according to the National Institutes of Health, exposure to gambling-related behavior is associated with higher rates of underage drinking, bullying, anxiety, mood swings and other serious issues.

Gifts like scratch-off tickets or video games may have hidden hazards and unintended consequences

Supporting not only parents and families, but educators, and caregivers, Change The Game Ohio offers a range of tools that can help identify gaming features that can be potentially risky and, at the same time, encourage selecting responsible gift alternatives that will ensure children won't be accidentally exposed to gambling behaviors.

Per the newly released Guide, responsible alternatives can include subscription services that avoid additional microtransactions per item, as well as games with upfront costs, instead of the popular "Freemium" models where consumers need to pay extra for additional features but can join the game for free.

Another entertainment option that can replace potentially risky gaming features is physical strategy board games, according to the Youth Gambling Prevention Gift Guide.

Derek Longmeier, the Problem Gambling Director of Ohio's executive director, commented on the topic: "Video game gift cards, scratch-off lottery tickets, and gaming apps are common last-minute ideas for busy shoppers."

Moreover, he pointed out: "But the hidden hazards and unintended consequences of these gifts are something we should remember when gifting to kids."

Focusing on data that suggests children spend up to 7.5 hours per day on screens, Longmeier acknowledged that if an adult spent seven hours a day for seven days a week at a casino, it would be worrying.

"That same experience is happening to thousands of Ohio children, and they aren't grown up enough to regulate that problem," the executive said in conclusion.

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