Youth Gambling and Gaming

Gambling and Problem Gambling

Gambling is when people play games or make bets with money or something valuable hoping to win more or gain something, but there’s a chance of losing what they have.

Examples of gambling include:

• Playing cards or dice for money
• Sports betting or pools
• Casino games (in-person or online)
• Lottery/scratch to win tickets
• Poker
• Slot machines

Problem gambling is when gambling starts to negatively affect someone’s life, such as harming their mental or physical health, relationships or finances and/or interfering with work, school or other activities.

Signs of problem gambling may include:

• Changes in personality or behaviour
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Missing work, school or family events because of gambling
• Gambling for longer than planned
• Gambling to escape other worries or issues
• Struggling to cut down or stop gambling
• Borrowing or stealing money to gamble

Youth and Problem Gambling

Research shows that youth, age 10-24, are at higher risk of problem gambling than adults. In WDG in 2022, 23% of students in Grades 7-12 reported gambling in the past year (22% for students in Grade 9+ and 24% for students in Grade 7-8). Youth gambling has been linked to issues like low self-esteem, poor self-discipline, substance use, depression, anxiety and suicide. These problems can have lasting effects into adulthood.

Gambling and Gaming

Gambling elements can be found in online games that youth regularly play and are exposed to, including video games. Some games mimic gambling with their design and interactive features, and others include in-game purchase options or micro-transactions, often called “loot boxes”, “loot crates”, “skins” or “mystery prizes”.

Gaming features can be a form of gambling when:

• The player needs to purchase the prize.
• In-game currency (i.e., credits, coins, dice) does not match real dollar amounts (e.g., 1500 credits = $24.99).
• Prizes are randomly generated, and the outcome is based on chance rather than skill.
• Contents of loot boxes/crates can be sold for real money on other websites.
• Prizes are advertised with pressure tactics like “limited time offer.”

Talking to Youth About Gambling and Gaming

If you are concerned about your child’s gambling or gaming activities, it’s important to take action:

• Be involved: Talk and listen to your child about their habits and behaviours.
• Learn the risks: Understand the warning signs and share the facts with your child.
• Set limits: Establish clear rules for technology use.
• Lead by example: Your child will learn from your habits. Consider limiting or eliminating gambling activities at home.

Gambling Help and Information

Homewood Health Centre, Community Addiction Services: 519-836-5733, ext. 32396 - Provides assessment, treatment and referral to community resources for individuals and families who are concerned about problem gambling, gaming, overuse of technology and other addition issues.

YMCA Youth Gambling Awareness Program: 519-766-2842 - Provides gambling education and prevention programming for youth and adults involved in young people’s lives.

ConnexOntario: Addiction, Mental Health and Problem Gambling Services: 1-866-531-2600 - Find help or information about gambling supports across Ontario.

Parent Information Session

Dr. Matthew Tenenbaum, the Associate Medical Officer of Health at Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (WDG) Public Health, and Sylvie Smith, a therapist with over 20 years of experience specializing in addiction and mental health at Homewood Health Centre’s Community Addiction Services share valuable insights about the impacts of gambling and gaming on youth and strategies to consider at home.

Originally recorded live on October 29, 2024.