Gambling! It's Part of Life...
Is gambling by young people another thing you have to worry about as a parent or teacher?
Unfortunately, the answer is yes. We're all surrounded by gambling these days, from state-supported lotteries to online gambling sites.
- Young people are two to three times as likely to develop a gambling problem than adults who start gambling.
- In some studies, 14-19% of teenagers show signs of losing control over gambling—that's nearly one in five kids.
But, young people can learn how to make smart decisions about gambling—and can learn to recognize problem gambling in their friends.
That's why FoolProof developed an online lesson (a "module" as we call it) on gambling. Without preaching, it teaches young people how to make wise decisions when it comes to gambling, and how to recognize problems in themselves and others, when it comes to gambling.
The module—as with all FoolProof programs—is free for all users. It contains no advertisements, either. Our programs are underwritten by credit unions across America.
How to use our gambling module:
- If you're a teacher, click on "Try Gambling Yourself" on this page. If you like what you see, go to our special website for teachers to learn more about our curriculum, or sign up now to use the module with your students.
- If you're a parent, take your kids to www.foolproofme.com and have them select "Gambling, what's in it for you?"
Please enter your five digit zip code:
Lots of FoolProof's information is localized to individual cities.
"As legalized gambling expands across the country it is more important than ever to prevent kids from developing gambling problems. School-based financial literacy programs are important and effective ways to help students make good decisions. FoolProof's module on gambling is an important way to help young people make good decisions concerning gambling."
~ Keith Whyte,
Executive Director
The National Council on Problem Gambling
FoolProof is the only financial literacy program in the United States endorsed by both the National Association of Consumer Advocates and the Consumer Federation of America.
More Resources:
- The National Council on Problem Gambling is the authoritative source for most issues related to problem gambling in the United States. Their site provides multiple resources.
- High School Students and Gambling (pdf)
- College Students and Problem Gambling (pdf)
- Effects of problem gambling on the family (pdf)
- Youth (pdf)
- Student Athletes (pdf)
- Alcohol and Drug/Mental Health/Ethnic/Older Adults (pdf)
- References PDF (pdf)
- Attitude toward gambling
- Warning signs
- What should parents do?
- Risk factors
- Myths and reality
- When is gambling a problem?
- Parents value the holiday campaign
- Parent-child relations
- Links and resources
- What is gambling
- Kids speaks out
- Myths and facts
- Self evaluation
- FAQs
- Links and resources
- Gambling problems
- The International Center for Youth Gambling Problems
From those resources, here are three important Pdfs aimed at parents and teachers:
The NCPG, in partnership with the National Endowment for Financial Education, has developed a Guide for Treatment Professionals (pdf).
The NCPG also offers informative Pdfs concerning vulnerable populations. Different groups of people are more vulnerable to gambling problems than others. The following provides statistics, risk factors and other information for these groups:
The International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-risk Behaviors, located in Canada, is considered a world authority on the issues of youth and addiction. The Centre has many valuable resources for parents, including the following:
The Centre also has valuable resources for young people, including the following topics:
- Prevention Lane - Problem Gambling Prevention
- If you or someone you know need help right now:
Call the national gambling hotline at 800-522-4700.
More Financial Education:
