Young people gambling more than ever before
By Stephanie Anderson
Updated Mon
May 14, 2012 2:03pm AEST
Nearly 80 per cent of people between the ages of 10 and 24 have participated in some form of gambling.
Gambling support groups say they will target young people as
part of a campaign to raise awareness about problem gambling.
The Responsible Gambling Advocacy Centre will hold events across Victoria as
part of responsible gambling awareness week.
Support groups say more young people are gambling than ever before.
The centre says nearly 80 per cent of people aged 10 to 24 have participated
in some form of gambling and the number of young people with gambling issues is on the rise.
The centre's Penny Wilson says awareness campaigns are needed to counter
pervasive gambling advertisements.
"We know from the research coming in that there is a huge saturation of
advertising at particular sporting events," she said.
It allows for young people to actually gamble without anyone else knowing.
Kim Charteris
She says raising awareness will dispel some of the myths about problem
gambling.
"A lot of people view gambling as something that you must be able to control
at an individual level and many people don't accept that venues or society have any responsibility."
The head of a Canadian youth gambling awareness program, Kim Charteris, says new technology means gambling is no longer limited to specific venues, making it easier for young people to play.
"It allows for young people to actually gamble without anyone else knowing,"
she said.
"So it becomes gambling in isolation, which is in itself a broader social issue."
She says education campaigns are needed to stop problem habits forming at a young age.
Topics:community-and-society, gambling, melbourne-3000
First posted Mon
May 14, 2012 8:28am AEST
By Stephanie Anderson
Updated Mon
May 14, 2012 2:03pm AEST
Nearly 80 per cent of people between the ages of 10 and 24 have participated in some form of gambling.
Gambling support groups say they will target young people as
part of a campaign to raise awareness about problem gambling.
The Responsible Gambling Advocacy Centre will hold events across Victoria as
part of responsible gambling awareness week.
Support groups say more young people are gambling than ever before.
The centre says nearly 80 per cent of people aged 10 to 24 have participated
in some form of gambling and the number of young people with gambling issues is on the rise.
The centre's Penny Wilson says awareness campaigns are needed to counter
pervasive gambling advertisements.
"We know from the research coming in that there is a huge saturation of
advertising at particular sporting events," she said.
It allows for young people to actually gamble without anyone else knowing.
Kim Charteris
She says raising awareness will dispel some of the myths about problem
gambling.
"A lot of people view gambling as something that you must be able to control
at an individual level and many people don't accept that venues or society have any responsibility."
The head of a Canadian youth gambling awareness program, Kim Charteris, says new technology means gambling is no longer limited to specific venues, making it easier for young people to play.
"It allows for young people to actually gamble without anyone else knowing,"
she said.
"So it becomes gambling in isolation, which is in itself a broader social issue."
She says education campaigns are needed to stop problem habits forming at a young age.
Topics:community-and-society, gambling, melbourne-3000
First posted Mon
May 14, 2012 8:28am AEST
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