The Prince William Community Services department is organizing a free webinar to address the risks associated with youth gambling. The event, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 11 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., is part of the Gift Responsibly Campaign, which seeks to inform the community about the dangers that gambling poses to children and adolescents.
The webinar is open to youth, parents, caregivers, professionals who work with young people, and anyone interested in learning more about how gambling can affect minors. According to research cited by organizers, children exposed to gambling before age 12 are four times more likely to develop gambling problems later in life.
“Youth exposure to gambling often goes unnoticed, but the risks associated with youth gambling should not be ignored. In this webinar, we will help to identify what to watch out for so that gaming stays a source of entertainment and not a risk to the wellbeing of our youth,” said Wendy Hunt, Wellness and Prevention Supervisor with Community Services.
Organizers note that activities such as lottery tickets or scratchers may seem harmless when given as gifts by adults. However, early exposure can have serious consequences for young people. Warning signs include academic difficulties, truancy from school, financial issues, depressive symptoms or suicidal thoughts, low self-esteem, strained social relationships, substance abuse and even criminal behavior.
Many adults may not realize that giving lottery tickets or similar products to minors under 18 is illegal in Virginia. The upcoming webinar aims to provide guidance on recognizing warning signs of problem gambling among youth and offers strategies for supporting those who may be affected.
Registration for the event is required at https://www.pwcva.gov/events/preventing-youth-problem-gaming-and-gambling/. For further information about the webinar or related resources, individuals can contact Wendy Hunt at [email protected] or (703) 792-3837.
