News writer
With Thanksgiving this week, the holiday season is about to hit full swing and many state lotteries across the country are urging players to think twice before including lottery tickets in children’s stockings or holiday cards.
Through the National Council on Problem Gambling’s (NCPG) Gift Responsibly Campaign, lotteries are trying to raise awareness about the risks of lottery use by minors. Here’s how Arkansas, Kansas, and New Jersey are leading the charge.
“Lottery tickets are not child’s play”
The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL) is taking a strong stance on responsible gifting this holiday season. With the Gift Responsibly Campaign in mind, ASL Executive Director Sharon Strong says that lottery tickets can be an exciting gift for adults, but they aren’t suitable for children.
“Lottery tickets make great gifts, and they are easy to grab during last-minute holiday shopping,” Strong said. “However, we want to remind everyone that lottery tickets are not appropriate for children under the age of 18.”
According to research, too-early exposure to gambling can lead to gambling-related issues later in life. Because of that, ASL is working to prevent it by promoting awareness about the risks of underage gambling through its holiday messaging.
Strong added, “Please be mindful as you’re wrapping presents and stuffing stockings: lottery tickets are not child’s play.”
To learn more about responsible gifting, players are encouraged to visit the NCPG website for resources and advice.
Community outreach in Kansas
The Kansas Lottery is trying to take their commitment to responsible gifting to the next level. To do this, the state lottery is using social media, live streams, and outreach to players and retailers to spread awareness.
“Responsible gaming is incredibly important to all of us at the Kansas Lottery,” said Executive Director Stephen Durrell. “While lottery tickets can make great gifts, they are for your 18 and older friends and family only.”
Keith Whyte, NCPG Executive Director, celebrated the efforts in Kansas, stating: “The potential long-term risks associated with underage gambling exposure cannot be understated…we applaud their commitment to raising awareness about the risks of youth gambling and for working to educate the community that lottery tickets are never appropriate gifts for children.”
The Kansas Lottery is reminding players of these risks and hopes to reduce any chances of adults unknowingly contributing to these unhealthy gambling habits in kids.
Modeling healthy gambling habits in New Jersey
Meanwhile, the New Jersey Lottery is working with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) in highlighting the importance of modeling healthy gambling practices for young family members. Their holiday campaign talks about the risks associated with exposing minors to gambling and urges families to use caution when giving lottery tickets as gifts.
“People love slipping lottery tickets into holiday cards or putting them in stockings as gifts from Santa. But adults need to avoid gifting lottery tickets to children,” Lottery Director James A. Carey said. “While the law does not prohibit adults from giving tickets to minors, please keep in mind that there’s a lot of research — including the Rutgers study — that shows this is just not a good idea.”
That Rutgers study, completed in 2023, shows that problem gambling behaviors often start in childhood and are influenced by family habits. Now that gambling options are more accessible than ever, over 50% of problem gamblers fall between the ages of 18 and 35.
Fred W. Hogan, Board President of the CCGNJ, emphasized the importance of public education. “The safety of our youth is a priority. We will continue to educate the public about gambling addiction and help those who are struggling.”
The New Jersey Lottery’s campaign encourages adults to prioritize responsible gifting this season through social media messaging and advertisements.
Protecting the holiday spirit
The holidays are a time for joy and celebration. While lottery tickets can be an exciting gift, they should only be given responsibly. By taking part in the Gift Responsibly Campaign, Arkansas, Kansas, and New Jersey are reminding players to think twice before gifting lottery tickets to children.
Responsible gaming is about more than adhering to age restrictions. It’s about fostering healthy habits and safeguarding the well-being of future generations. As you start your holiday shopping, remember the mantra shared by these state lotteries: lottery tickets are for adults, not children.
Enjoy playing the lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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