Only Half of Parents Have Talked to Their Children About Gambling

According to a survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), only 51 percent of parents and caregivers with children aged 6 to 17 have talked to their children about gambling. Forty percent said they plan to have this conversation, while 9 percent said they have no such plan.

The findings come at a time when betting content is becoming easier to reach through smartphones, sports broadcasts and online platforms. Concern about how early young people may encounter gambling is growing accordingly.

The survey showed a difference between fathers and mothers. Three quarters of fathers said they are worried about young people gambling, while the share among mothers was 42 percent. Parents said they would find the following most useful: advice on recognizing the early signs of problem gambling, educational materials that explain the risks to young people, and step-by-step guides showing when and how to start the conversation.

Derek Longmeier, chair of the board of the Washington-based nonprofit, said families want to understand the risks better and are asking for practical resources. NCPG announced that it is developing tools for this purpose.

The survey was released ahead of the organization's annual Gift Responsibly campaign. The campaign urges adults not to give lottery tickets and similar products as gifts to children under the legal gambling age. Last year, more than 230 organizations took part in the campaign. Participation rose 30 percent compared with the previous year.