Gambling among kids a bigger problem than parents think, McGill researchers say
McGill University researchers say parents are underestimating the risks of gambling for their kids, a risk that goes up during the holidays.
Researchers were surprised that 40% of parents in their survey gave their kids lottery tickets as holiday presents and that they're the number one source of lottery tickets for their children.
They're taking the opportunity to tell parents that they are not appropriate gifts and that they trivialize gambling.
Their study also says parents put gambling last on their list of worries when it comes to their kids. Drugs are number one, followed by alcohol, drunk driving and risky sexual behaviour. These represent 80% of their concerns while gambling comes in at 40%. Even excessive video game playing comes in ahead at 64%.
The study says the rate of gambling problems is two to four times higher among youths than among adults, and that four to six per cent of youths have a compulsive gambling problem, while eight to ten per cent are at risk of becoming compulsive gamblers.
Researchers say they have a big challenge spreading awareness what with the increase of tv poker tournaments, video gambling games and online gambling that's not regulated and widely available to kids.
Researchers also point out widespread gambling in schools, to the point that some high schools and CEGEPs have had to ban cards, dice and sports bets.
The study suggests that gambling is harder to pinpoint in kids since they don't have rent or bills to pay, things that could become problematic once they're older.
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