Underage gambling causes concern in New York

Young-age gambling and online gambling is fast reaching epidemic levels in New York, a factor that is causing much concern for the state. Statistics as per a study by the New York Council on Problem Gambling revealed that 86% of adolescent respondents had already bet on a minimum of one kind of gambling. The study also revealed that 75% respondents had gambled in the past year, and 15% gambled regularly on a weekly basis. Most astonishingly, over 41,000 adolescents in New York State were experiencing severe problems with gambling.

The main cause for increased gambling by youngsters is rooted to be increase in televised and Internet gambling and the lure for fast money. Also, the status of gambling has risen, as this once-considered-a vice has become acceptable behaviour in the American society. After the revelations, state lawmakers and advocates are stepping up efforts towards the introduction of prevention awareness. These efforts would be focused towards children as young as fourth graders.

A bill in this regard is being sponsored by Assemblyperson Peter M Rivera, chairman of the New York State Assembly Mental Health Committee. As per the bill, education on anti-gambling and online gaming will be included in elementary curriculum for students from grades four to twelve. This course would be an augmentation to the already existing education on drug abuse and alcohol addiction. As per the bill, an Adolescent Gambling Task force will also need to be created. This task force would work by compiling recommendations for the state on how to combat the situation of gambling.

Experts feel that this move may further educate children on the consequences of addictive behaviour and help to control the situation. This legislation is currently in the education committees of the Senate and the Assembly and if it is signed into law, it would go into effect from July 1, 2007.

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