Parents Are Urged Not To Buy Lottery Tickets For Minors
Looking for those last minute stocking stuffers? The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) reminds parents this holiday season that lottery tickets are intended for adults and are not appropriate gifts for youth. It is not legal in Florida for a person under the age of 18 to purchase or redeem lottery tickets. It is important that parents and grandparents recognize that adult lottery products are not risk free fun for children and teenagers.
PRWEB) December 18, 2008 -- Looking for those last minute stocking stuffers? The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) reminds parents this holiday season that lottery tickets are intended for adults and are not appropriate gifts for youth. It is not legal in Florida for a person under the age of 18 to purchase or redeem lottery tickets. It is important that parents and grandparents recognize that adult lottery products are not risk free fun for children and teenagers. Research indicates that playing the lottery at a young age increases the risk of developing problem gambling later in life.
According to Pat Fowler, the Executive Director of the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, "Parents are simply not aware of the risks involved. Children are particularly vulnerable to developing problems with gambling."
Florida specific prevalence studies released in December 2002 estimated that 100,000 Florida youth, age's 13-17 experience some problem related to their gambling. The 2007 Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey demonstrates that youth who gamble often exhibit other high-risk behaviors like drinking alcohol, using drugs, driving recklessly, skipping school and getting into fights.
Fowler added, "When parents buy them gambling related gifts like lottery scratch off tickets, it sends the message that the activity is safe, and provides a conflicting message about who these products are intended for."
The FCCG is a not-for-profit agency dedicated to increasing the public awareness about gambling addiction and to furnishing supports to person in need of assistance. Information and help are available by calling the FCCG 24-hour, multilingual HelpLine at 888-ADMIT-IT.
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