'It's easy.' Mental health experts worry sports betting is too tempting for teens
CANTON − Local mental health experts say the recent legalization of sports gambling and how easy it is to make wagers pose a big risk for children and teenagers.
A new state law legalizing sports gambling has resulted in a proliferation of nonstop marketing and self-serve kiosks in restaurants, stores and bars — not to mention the availability of lottery games.
Stark Mental Health & Addiction Recovery is part of a nationwide effort to highlight the risks and danger that gambling poses to children and young adults under 21.
Over the holidays, StarkMHAR, in conjunction with the National Council on Problem Gambling and the International Center for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University, took part in "Gift Responsibly," a campaign to discourage giving children instant lottery tickets for Christmas and other holidays.
Allyson Rey, StarkMHAR's director of marketing, communications and community relations, said it's part of an overall messaging strategy to discourage teen gambling and to encourage adults to gamble responsibly.
According to studies cited by the National Institutes of Health:
80% of adolescents have participated in some form of gambling.
4% to 8% of children between the ages of 12 and 17 have a very serious gambling problem, while another 10% to 15% are at-risk for developing a gambling problem.
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What do teens say about gambling?
A number of teens shopping recently at Belden Village Mall in Jackson Township said they don't engage in sports betting and didn't know anyone who did, but at least two said they understand how it might be tempting.
Beno Gamble, 15, pointed to technology and the ease with which sports betting can be accessed nowadays.
Amar Coney, 17, said does he know of people his age who bet on professional sports.
"NFL, NBA games; they bet on how many points a player will score," he said.
Echoing Gamble, Coney cites technology.
"It's right there," he said. "It's easy."
Rey, and Justina Gorman, StarkMHAR's coalition and community development coordinator, said some sportsbook companies appear to be gearing their ads to attract young adults 18 to 25.
Gorman said signs of problem gambling may be harder for parents to detect than substance abuse. Possible warning signs include irritability, anxiety and depression, declining grades, substance abuse, and even skipping school.
"If I had a drink at lunch, you might be able to tell, but you would have no idea if I got on my phone and placed a bet," she said. "But some of the things that you can look out for is (teens) being really secretive about money, in particular; just talking about being preoccupied with the idea of gambling and winning, especially with sports."
Ohio Casino Control Commission files complaint against DraftKings
As marketing for sportsbooks increases, young people are more exposed to the idea.
In December, the Ohio Casino Control Commission filed a complaint against Crown OH Gaming, (DraftKings) amid claims that the company violated state gaming rules when it mailed an estimated 2,500 ads directly addressed to people under 21.
The commission is seeking $350,000 in fines.
"Gambling is illegal until you're 21, so it's been interesting that it's part of that demographic," Gorman said. "You're brain is still developing. I think that's where a lot of the concern comes in because they're engaging in some of those activities that can really prime the brain for addiction."
Ohio Lottery spokeswoman Danielle Frizzi-Babb said the state is actively working to reduce exposure and access.
"The Ohio Lottery is committed to helping players play responsibly, and our messaging around responsible gambling runs year-round on radio, TV, social media, and on our designated website, keepitfunohio.com, which offers information about how to spot a gambling problem, knowing the odds, keeping spending in check, and ways to find help if needed," she said. "All sports gaming proprietors must adhere to the standards set forth for responsible gambling, which includes not marketing to minors, 'age-gating' before wagers are placed, and posting problem gambling prevention information in-venue. In addition, proprietors are required to provide training to their hosts."
Gorman said gambling at a young age can precipitate a strong addiction later in life, adding that being able to gamble by phone creates "an unmeasured ease."
"That doesn't happen to everyone for sure, but you know, some of those early big wins can make your brain continue to seek that dopamine. It's very similar to drugs," she said.
Gorman said she believes the state has been proactive in discouraging underage and addictive gambling.
"There's a (Ohio Lottery Commission) campaign called 'Pause Before You Play,' that's probably geared more toward people of betting age to encourage responsible gambling behavior," she said. "I think they are trying. ... I think they're trying to get the information out there that it can be fun, but keep it fun, keep it legal and above 21, and making sure you're setting limits for yourself."
Gambling prevention programs available
Rey said that locally, CommQuest, KidSummit, and the Child & Adolescent Center all offer prevention programming where many of the lessons on resilience and refusal skills are applicable to gambling prevention. CommQuest in particular offers a gambling education program, called "Stacked Deck."
Also, mental health agencies around the state are using some of their budget to promote "Empower," a statewide gambling addiction education program. According to Empower, an estimated 285,000 adults and 38,000 teens in Ohio struggle with gambling.
There is no harm in being aware and educated about possible risks, said Jodi Salvo, coordinator of Empower Tusc Coalition (Tuscarawas County) said in a statement.
“By educating ourselves, we increase the likelihood that we are alerted to risky behaviors, which in turn allows us to help ourselves and others sooner,” Salvo said.
Gorman said thanks to "micro-betting," people have nearly infinite options when it comes to sports gambling.
"It's not just, 'Oh, I bet the Browns are going to win this next game,'" she said. "There's so much micro-betting going on with all this that you can bet on the next down. You can bet on each play, and what the score will be at halftime. There's so many different transitions like that. It can be hard to keep track of how much money you're actually wagering on a game."
Reach Charita at 330-580-8313 or charita.goshay@cantonrep.com.
On Twitter: @cgoshayREP
Need help?
If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling addiction, call the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 800-589-9966. In-patient treatment services are available for Ohio veterans.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Mental health experts worry sports betting is too tempting for teens
