On February 7, Sen. Joseph Bellino introduced legislation on a bipartisan basis to assist educate youth in Michigan about the dangers of gambling.
Proposed Michigan Legislation to Address Problem Gambling Among Teens
Teenagers are struggling with gambling addiction due to the prevalence of sports betting applications and the legalization of online sportsbooks in more than 30 states, according to Bellino, a Republican from Monroe. Many young people, it has been said, do not view gambling as harmful, and high school students are twice as likely to have a gambling problem as adults.
Bellino has introduced a bill to fight these growing concerns and claimed that it has support from all parties. He added that the bill aims to educate young people about the true dangers of gambling in order to stop this problem from spreading.
By July 1, 2024, the state Department of Education would have to create a model program for teaching gambling addiction that is grade and age-appropriate and make it available to school districts and public school academies. This is in accordance with Senate Bill 54.
According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, between 60% and 80% of high school students stated that they have gambled for real money in the previous year, even though the legal age to do so varies from state to state and ranges from 18 to 21. The council added that 4% to 6% of high school students are thought to be gambling addicts.
A little more than 5% of all adolescents between the ages of 11 and 17 have at least one of the signs of gambling addiction, such as enjoying the adrenaline that comes from gambling, signing IOUs to stay in the game, and having such a strong desire to hit it big that they continue playing even when they are losing a lot.
According to Bellino, just like our teachers educate kids about the risks of using drugs and alcohol, they also need to teach them about the catastrophic repercussions of gambling addiction.
Youth Gambling Addiction Statistics for Major Markets
Youth gambling addiction is a growing concern worldwide, and several major markets have reported alarming statistics. As the concerns about problem gambling are growing, we see more and more research on the matter, including the study made by PointsBet, MACGH, and NCPG.
In the United States, it is estimated that up to 8% of adolescents have a gambling problem, while in Canada, the prevalence rate is around 2%. In Australia, recent studies have shown that around 1.2% of young people have a severe gambling problem, while a further 6% are at risk of developing one.
These statistics highlight the need for greater awareness and preventative measures to protect young people from the harmful effects of gambling. Factors such as easy access to online gambling platforms and increased exposure to gambling advertising are contributing to the rise in youth gambling addiction. Governments and industry leaders have a responsibility to work together to implement effective measures to safeguard young people and reduce the prevalence of youth gambling addiction.
