What’s Wrong With This Picture? Youth Gambling in Oregon

 Betting something of value on an event with an uncertain outcome  Something of value can be money, time, emotion, etc.

Gambling in Oregon is Growing

Gambling is everywhere This is the first generation to grow up with gambling as the norm and seen as harmless fun

TV school church parents ….where’s the balance?

Preference for new, exciting, low effort activities Minimal consideration of negative consequences More risky, impulsive all of which can play into gambling problems Adolescent Brains Are A Work In Progress

…that’s 1 per classroom, yet it’s not addressed in schools

 Ever gambled: 63%  At risk: 4.6%  Problem: 1.3%  adolescents with severe gambling related difficulties (based on SOGS-RA)

 Free on internet  Cards  Games of skill

More common in:  Family income below median  Single parent household  Male  Started gambling before 8 th grade  Cards and sports bettors  Play sports for their schools  Family members gamble  Gamble with friends/acquaintances

 significant numbers of Oregon adolescents gamble  small but significant proportion of Oregon adolescents experience severe difficulties  widely accepted by adolescents and their families  data indicate need to refocus our efforts

 Alternative high schools  School counselors  At risk youth programs  Youth detention facilities  Adolescent addiction treatment  School sports

Illegal Available 24/7 Offers accelerated rate of play; distorts perceptions of real money “Practice” sites lure players via higher payoffs New survey: # 1 gambling activity among Oregon kids is playing for free online

casino card games = 30 thirty hands per hour online poker = hands per hour so more can be lost faster Makers of video games are also makers of video slots

Graphs again show correlation between gambling and other risky behaviors

delinquency sexual behavior smoking drug use gambling Problem Behaviors

SpeakersVideosHandouts Posters and brochures

Problem Gambling Help Line: Free and confidential; staffed by professional counselors Phone: 1 (877) MY LIMIT Online: 1877mylimit.org (chat, IM, )