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By: ARLENE FINE Staff Reporter
Teenage gambling is not child's play
As if sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll were not enough to keep today's parents reaching for the Maalox and the roots of their hair, add another element to the potent mix n teenage gambling.
The fastest growing group of gamblers is not gray-haired seniors taking junkets to nearby casinos, but their grandchildren. A nationwide study conducted by Harvard University estimates that up to 10% of adolescents are problem gamblers, more than twice the 3.8% rate for adults.
These teens are not losing the farm (yet) n it's their college money that's often up for grabs as they gamble away their future in high-stakes poker games, Internet gambling, or off-track sporting events.
Recent articles in leading publications and even some in local school papers have begun raising red flags about this growing problem.
An article in the Orange High School student newspaper states, "Texas Hold'em (a form of poker) has swept across the school and turned OHS into a mini Las Vegas casino ... Hands range from $5 up to $50 and up ... it is not unusual for students to lose a couple of hundred dollars during one class period. This game is against school rules, but the rule is rarely enforced ..."
The problem is filtering down to the middle school, the article continues. "Games might start out small, with tournaments for $1 or $2, but they can keep going up and raise $10 to $20 in just one year of playing."
At Orange High School, assistant principal Barbara Davis says the administration is concerned enough about student gambling that they have enacted a policy that no card games are allowed within the building. In addition, kids cannot bring their laptop computers to school. "We want to be in total control of their Internet access during the school day," says Davis.
"We are dealing with the first generation of teens presented with an unprecedented level of gambling opportunities," says Dr. Lori Rugel, president of the Ohio Council on Problem Gambling and coordinator of the Veteran's Administration gambling treatment program.
"The teenage gambling addiction crisis we are uncovering is just the tip of a potentially catastrophic iceberg," she adds. "The powerful, tantalizing allure of Internet gambling and the Texas Hold'em poker craze that has swiftly moved from frat houses and dorm rooms to the bedrooms of middle school students means addictive life-altering gambling opportunities abound among adolescents."
"Mark," a Jewish 17-year-old from Solon, says he plays Texas Hold'em about three hours a week, usually on the weekend. "The guys I play with are not heavy bettors, like some I know who easily blow $I00 an evening. I don't play for the money, which in my league is usually $5-$10 a person, but for the risk and as a social outlet," he says. "I know that gambling can be addictive, but if it is not getting out of hand, it can be a fun pastime. If you can't handle losing money, then don't play.
"My uncle bragged that he lived through three different groups of poker friends. I know kids who gamble a lot, but they know what they are getting into."
But it is the small percentage of teens who don't know what they are getting into and turn into compulsive adult gamblers that concerns Rugel.
A recent study by the Center for Addiction Studies at Harvard Medical School revealed between 9.9% and 14.2% of adolescents in North America have gambling problems. An additional 4.4% to 7.4% are already compulsive gamblers. Most people who are addicted to gambling began their forays into games of chance as early as age 10.
"Because so little is being done to educate the community about this growing problem, few families or educators are seeking help early enough in the game," Rugel notes. She cites recent studies that show the number of teens with aggressive gambling problems is almost double that of adults.
"Kids are constantly seeking new thrills," she notes. "And the underbelly community that caters to this need is all too ready to roll out the red carpet and provide them."
The social acceptance and legalization of many forms of gambling makes the problem even harder to deal with, she says. "Gambling opportunities abound wherever you turn. From state-run lottery sales, school-sponsored afterprom Monte Carlo nights, to bingo in synagogues and churches. All these casino-style activities legitimize gambling, without showing its potential for addiction."
"Because of all the media hype revolving around gambling, it has an alluring social caché," says Rugel. "I've heard kids boast of being good gamblers with the same bravado as they say they are good athletes. Teens must understand gambling carries a high price tag as a means to build their self-esteem and identity."
Schools and the media have done a good job educating parents about the dangers of teenage substance abuse, but with few exceptions, they have not addressed gambling as an addictive, destructive behavior, Rugel continues.
"Parents are so relieved their kids are not getting high on drugs, they see gambling as a minor problem, until it is too late," she notes. "And even if they get a feeling of uneasiness, they think by taking away the kids' spending money, the problem will disappear.
"When someone is drunk, you can see it immediately, but if someone has lost $10,000 on Internet gambling and plans to recoup it the next day, the signs are invisible," she notes. "That is why gambling is called the hidden disease."
Gambling away college tuition money is not unusual, reports "John," 60, who has been attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings for many years. He began his gambling addiction at age 10 and says he is alarmed at how many youngsters are quickly falling into the gambling trap.
He recently met a 21-year-old at a Gambler's Anonymous meeting whose story is becoming all too familiar. "He was an OSU college senior and had gambled away his last semester's tuition playing Internet blackjack. "Because he was broke and in debt, he ended up spending two months living in the library and eating food from the trash cans and dumpsters. And he was using the library computer to try to create scams to hustle cash to continue gambling."
Youth groups such as BBYO, USY and NCSY, say their area directors, have strict policies in place that no gambling is allowed at their retreats or meetings.
At Fuchs Mizrachi, Rabbi Binyamin Blau, the Jewish day school's high school principal, refuses to stick his head in the sand on this issue. "No one can possibly be naïve enough to think teen gambling or gambling at any age is not something that requires vigilance and education," he says.
During class discussion he tells students about an incident in New York where an observant member of the community was arrested for stealing Torah scrolls from synagogues to pay off a gambling debt. "I use this to show how addictive and destructive gambling can become and that our community is far from immune from it."
The state of Ohio has begun a proactive campaign to raise awareness levels among students. Anneliese Oti, coordinator of a teen gambling prevention program at Jewish Family Service Association, conducts educational workshops at schools and community forums. Since her state-funded program began a year- and-a-half ago, she has met with 1,500 students. Demand for her services is growing.
"Awareness of gambling in the school is very high among the kids," says Oti. "They know what is going on, and they know who is doing it, but they are not talking about it until somebody asks them."
School officials who say they are already dealing with drugs, alcohol and some domestic violence issues, welcome Oti's visits. "This gambling problem is just another issue for administrators to contend with," she notes. "And, most of them do not understand its enormity. Kids are taught not to drink and drive, to wear their safety belts in the car, but they haven't been taught by the school officials or their parents how to gamble safely."
It's really hard for kids to get the big picture when gambling is so acceptable and persuasive, concedes Oti. "How do you preach caution when bar or bat mitzvahs use gambling as a party theme? Or the afterprom activity is a gambling evening complete with a craps table and roulette wheel n and the prizes are big. Just turn on the radio or TV, and there are ads for on-line betting."
In her travels to the various area high schools, Oti says she has heard some educators complain about the negative impact gambling has on their students.
Five middle school students in an Eastern suburb who were supposed to play in a soccer game opted to spend the evening playing Texas Hold'em instead because there was a $500 pot. And one of the kids was the coach's son," she says.
Frequently, students approach Oti after a session to talk about their problem. "One boy told me his mother works several jobs and is rarely home. Although she leaves him money, he often asks for more, because he plays craps with friends after school. He wanted to know if he had a gambling problem."
These kids are the ones she tries to reach, she says. "They realize they are doing something wrong and are already looking for help."
"Although I'm not sure there is a bookie in school, some of our kids place bets on professional sports teams," says Brush High School health counselor Livia Fry, "They don't see themselves as suckers yet; they are simply looking for a quick win. I am constantly amazed at how naïve the kids are."
In a recent classroom discussion, she says, she was asked a lot of questions about Bingo. "The kids were shocked to learn that it can be addicting because so many of their relatives play it."
Even though teen gambling is predominantly a male problem, teenage girls get affected, too. "When a guy is desperate for money, he will hit his girlfriend for extra cash," says Oti. "This is not a passive addiction; gambling affects everyone in the gambler's world."
To prevent social gambling from getting out of hand, Oti advises parents to set the following parameters: "Kids have to know these social sessions are just for fun and not to make money," she says. "It is the parents' job to educate kids that there is risk involved and to keep the lines of communication open. Parents should not wait until they discover their credit cards are being used by their kids for Internet gambling or that money is being stolen from their wallets to feed a gambling addiction."
Oti recommends that kids play poker at organized games supervised by parents, who set limits regarding the amount of money that can be gambled, amount of time played at the table, and frequency of games.
"When their stake is gone, parents must insist their kids cannot borrow money to continue playing," she says. "The big problem is that many of these kids think gambling is a way to make money. They don't have the maturity to realize they don't have control over their win."
"It is not unusual for students to lose a couple of hundred dollars during one class period."
Orange High School newspaper
"Parents are so relieved their kids are not getting high on drugs, they see gambling as a minor problem, until it is too late."
Dr. Lori Rugel
"They don't see themselves as suckers yet; they are simply looking for a quick win."
Livia Fry
"They don't have the maturity to realize they don't have control over their win."
Anneliese Oti
Up to 10% of adolescents are problem gamblers, more than twice the 3.8% rate for adults.
Spotting a teen gambler
• Unexplained need for money
• Missing money or possessions in the house
• Becoming withdrawn
• Missing school or classes
• Drop in outside activities
• Change in friends
• Excessive TV sports watching
• Overly upset at conclusion of sporting match
• Late night calls
• Drop in grades
• Interest in sports teams with no previous allegiance
• Calling 900 numbers for sports scores and point spreads
• Displays of unexplained wealth
Ohio Problem Gambling Help Line 1-800-589-9966
As if sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll were not enough to keep today's parents reaching for the Maalox and the roots of their hair, add another element to the potent mix n teenage gambling.
The fastest growing group of gamblers is not gray-haired seniors taking junkets to nearby casinos, but their grandchildren. A nationwide study conducted by Harvard University estimates that up to 10% of adolescents are problem gamblers, more than twice the 3.8% rate for adults.
These teens are not losing the farm (yet) n it's their college money that's often up for grabs as they gamble away their future in high-stakes poker games, Internet gambling, or off-track sporting events.
Recent articles in leading publications and even some in local school papers have begun raising red flags about this growing problem.
An article in the Orange High School student newspaper states, "Texas Hold'em (a form of poker) has swept across the school and turned OHS into a mini Las Vegas casino ... Hands range from $5 up to $50 and up ... it is not unusual for students to lose a couple of hundred dollars during one class period. This game is against school rules, but the rule is rarely enforced ..."
The problem is filtering down to the middle school, the article continues. "Games might start out small, with tournaments for $1 or $2, but they can keep going up and raise $10 to $20 in just one year of playing."
At Orange High School, assistant principal Barbara Davis says the administration is concerned enough about student gambling that they have enacted a policy that no card games are allowed within the building. In addition, kids cannot bring their laptop computers to school. "We want to be in total control of their Internet access during the school day," says Davis.
"We are dealing with the first generation of teens presented with an unprecedented level of gambling opportunities," says Dr. Lori Rugel, president of the Ohio Council on Problem Gambling and coordinator of the Veteran's Administration gambling treatment program.
"The teenage gambling addiction crisis we are uncovering is just the tip of a potentially catastrophic iceberg," she adds. "The powerful, tantalizing allure of Internet gambling and the Texas Hold'em poker craze that has swiftly moved from frat houses and dorm rooms to the bedrooms of middle school students means addictive life-altering gambling opportunities abound among adolescents."
"Mark," a Jewish 17-year-old from Solon, says he plays Texas Hold'em about three hours a week, usually on the weekend. "The guys I play with are not heavy bettors, like some I know who easily blow $I00 an evening. I don't play for the money, which in my league is usually $5-$10 a person, but for the risk and as a social outlet," he says. "I know that gambling can be addictive, but if it is not getting out of hand, it can be a fun pastime. If you can't handle losing money, then don't play.
"My uncle bragged that he lived through three different groups of poker friends. I know kids who gamble a lot, but they know what they are getting into."
But it is the small percentage of teens who don't know what they are getting into and turn into compulsive adult gamblers that concerns Rugel.
A recent study by the Center for Addiction Studies at Harvard Medical School revealed between 9.9% and 14.2% of adolescents in North America have gambling problems. An additional 4.4% to 7.4% are already compulsive gamblers. Most people who are addicted to gambling began their forays into games of chance as early as age 10.
"Because so little is being done to educate the community about this growing problem, few families or educators are seeking help early enough in the game," Rugel notes. She cites recent studies that show the number of teens with aggressive gambling problems is almost double that of adults.
"Kids are constantly seeking new thrills," she notes. "And the underbelly community that caters to this need is all too ready to roll out the red carpet and provide them."
The social acceptance and legalization of many forms of gambling makes the problem even harder to deal with, she says. "Gambling opportunities abound wherever you turn. From state-run lottery sales, school-sponsored afterprom Monte Carlo nights, to bingo in synagogues and churches. All these casino-style activities legitimize gambling, without showing its potential for addiction."
"Because of all the media hype revolving around gambling, it has an alluring social caché," says Rugel. "I've heard kids boast of being good gamblers with the same bravado as they say they are good athletes. Teens must understand gambling carries a high price tag as a means to build their self-esteem and identity."
Schools and the media have done a good job educating parents about the dangers of teenage substance abuse, but with few exceptions, they have not addressed gambling as an addictive, destructive behavior, Rugel continues.
"Parents are so relieved their kids are not getting high on drugs, they see gambling as a minor problem, until it is too late," she notes. "And even if they get a feeling of uneasiness, they think by taking away the kids' spending money, the problem will disappear.
"When someone is drunk, you can see it immediately, but if someone has lost $10,000 on Internet gambling and plans to recoup it the next day, the signs are invisible," she notes. "That is why gambling is called the hidden disease."
Gambling away college tuition money is not unusual, reports "John," 60, who has been attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings for many years. He began his gambling addiction at age 10 and says he is alarmed at how many youngsters are quickly falling into the gambling trap.
He recently met a 21-year-old at a Gambler's Anonymous meeting whose story is becoming all too familiar. "He was an OSU college senior and had gambled away his last semester's tuition playing Internet blackjack. "Because he was broke and in debt, he ended up spending two months living in the library and eating food from the trash cans and dumpsters. And he was using the library computer to try to create scams to hustle cash to continue gambling."
Youth groups such as BBYO, USY and NCSY, say their area directors, have strict policies in place that no gambling is allowed at their retreats or meetings.
At Fuchs Mizrachi, Rabbi Binyamin Blau, the Jewish day school's high school principal, refuses to stick his head in the sand on this issue. "No one can possibly be naïve enough to think teen gambling or gambling at any age is not something that requires vigilance and education," he says.
During class discussion he tells students about an incident in New York where an observant member of the community was arrested for stealing Torah scrolls from synagogues to pay off a gambling debt. "I use this to show how addictive and destructive gambling can become and that our community is far from immune from it."
The state of Ohio has begun a proactive campaign to raise awareness levels among students. Anneliese Oti, coordinator of a teen gambling prevention program at Jewish Family Service Association, conducts educational workshops at schools and community forums. Since her state-funded program began a year- and-a-half ago, she has met with 1,500 students. Demand for her services is growing.
"Awareness of gambling in the school is very high among the kids," says Oti. "They know what is going on, and they know who is doing it, but they are not talking about it until somebody asks them."
School officials who say they are already dealing with drugs, alcohol and some domestic violence issues, welcome Oti's visits. "This gambling problem is just another issue for administrators to contend with," she notes. "And, most of them do not understand its enormity. Kids are taught not to drink and drive, to wear their safety belts in the car, but they haven't been taught by the school officials or their parents how to gamble safely."
It's really hard for kids to get the big picture when gambling is so acceptable and persuasive, concedes Oti. "How do you preach caution when bar or bat mitzvahs use gambling as a party theme? Or the afterprom activity is a gambling evening complete with a craps table and roulette wheel n and the prizes are big. Just turn on the radio or TV, and there are ads for on-line betting."
In her travels to the various area high schools, Oti says she has heard some educators complain about the negative impact gambling has on their students.
Five middle school students in an Eastern suburb who were supposed to play in a soccer game opted to spend the evening playing Texas Hold'em instead because there was a $500 pot. And one of the kids was the coach's son," she says.
Frequently, students approach Oti after a session to talk about their problem. "One boy told me his mother works several jobs and is rarely home. Although she leaves him money, he often asks for more, because he plays craps with friends after school. He wanted to know if he had a gambling problem."
These kids are the ones she tries to reach, she says. "They realize they are doing something wrong and are already looking for help."
"Although I'm not sure there is a bookie in school, some of our kids place bets on professional sports teams," says Brush High School health counselor Livia Fry, "They don't see themselves as suckers yet; they are simply looking for a quick win. I am constantly amazed at how naïve the kids are."
In a recent classroom discussion, she says, she was asked a lot of questions about Bingo. "The kids were shocked to learn that it can be addicting because so many of their relatives play it."
Even though teen gambling is predominantly a male problem, teenage girls get affected, too. "When a guy is desperate for money, he will hit his girlfriend for extra cash," says Oti. "This is not a passive addiction; gambling affects everyone in the gambler's world."
To prevent social gambling from getting out of hand, Oti advises parents to set the following parameters: "Kids have to know these social sessions are just for fun and not to make money," she says. "It is the parents' job to educate kids that there is risk involved and to keep the lines of communication open. Parents should not wait until they discover their credit cards are being used by their kids for Internet gambling or that money is being stolen from their wallets to feed a gambling addiction."
Oti recommends that kids play poker at organized games supervised by parents, who set limits regarding the amount of money that can be gambled, amount of time played at the table, and frequency of games.
"When their stake is gone, parents must insist their kids cannot borrow money to continue playing," she says. "The big problem is that many of these kids think gambling is a way to make money. They don't have the maturity to realize they don't have control over their win."
"It is not unusual for students to lose a couple of hundred dollars during one class period."
Orange High School newspaper
"Parents are so relieved their kids are not getting high on drugs, they see gambling as a minor problem, until it is too late."
Dr. Lori Rugel
"They don't see themselves as suckers yet; they are simply looking for a quick win."
Livia Fry
"They don't have the maturity to realize they don't have control over their win."
Anneliese Oti
Up to 10% of adolescents are problem gamblers, more than twice the 3.8% rate for adults.
Spotting a teen gambler
• Unexplained need for money
• Missing money or possessions in the house
• Becoming withdrawn
• Missing school or classes
• Drop in outside activities
• Change in friends
• Excessive TV sports watching
• Overly upset at conclusion of sporting match
• Late night calls
• Drop in grades
• Interest in sports teams with no previous allegiance
• Calling 900 numbers for sports scores and point spreads
• Displays of unexplained wealth
Ohio Problem Gambling Help Line 1-800-589-9966
 |
||
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