NEWS FROM

THE NEW YORK COUNCIL

ON PROBLEM GAMBLING                  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mariangela Milea 518/427-1622                        March 8, 2006

e-mail: mmilea@nyproblemgambling.org

NYCPG ADOLESCENT GAMBLING SYMPOSIUM REACHES CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The New York Council on Problem Gambling (NYCPG) held an adolescent gambling symposium on December 1, 2005 in Albany and announces today its recommendations.

NEW YORK COUNCIL ON PROBLEM GAMBLING RECOMMENDATIONS

(These recommendations are the sole opinion of the New York Council on Problem Gambling and do not reflect the opinions of the participants who attended the Adolescent Gambling Symposium)

• Establish an Adolescent Gambling Task Force.

• Develop and implement a school based problem gambling curriculum from grade school through high school in cooperation with the State Department of Education.

• Develop a statewide public awareness media campaign that increases the awareness of adolescent problem gambling.

• Provide education, training and resources for Student Assistants Counselors, Guidance Counselors, Teachers, Coaches, PTAs and Administrators to learn more about adolescent gambling and its impacts as well as how to screen for gambling problems and when and where to refer adolescent problem gamblers for help.

• Increase funding opportunities for research to properly identify and address the needs of adolescents and problem gambling in New York.

• Encourage the Media to balance their reporting.

• Post Warning signs and Helpline number (1-800-437-1611) wherever gambling is permitted. Since the legal gambling age in New York State is 18, all gambling operations must play an active role in opposing underage gambling by ensuring that adolescents are not placing bets and/or gaining access to gambling on the premises. It would also be helpful to increase existing efforts to disseminate the Council’s Helpline number. (e.g. placing the Helpline Number (1-800-437-1611) in all phonebooks throughout the state)

• Enforcement of underage gambling laws.

• Enactment of a dedicated New York State revenue source for the express purpose of providing comprehensive treatment and prevention programs designed to address problem and pathological gambling.

The meeting was the first such meeting sponsored by the Council and included nearly 50 participants from throughout the state. Invited parents, educators, community leaders, state agencies and clinicians, focused on establishing educational, prevention, policy and research priorities to address adolescent problem gambling and provided the insight, energy and professional experience to address the issue of adolescent gambling in New York.

"In gathering top experts in various fields related to adolescent gambling, this symposium has helped us measure the proliferation of adolescent gambling in New York and the potential for problem gambling by adolescents in the future, as, as well as broaden our perspective of the statewide issue,” said James Maney, NYCPG Executive Director. “Most experts think that the progression of adolescent gambling has taken a turn for the worse. Adolescent gambling is the norm, and to reverse the norm, successful prevention strategies that were used to combat adolescent alcohol and cigarette use must be utilized and implemented throughout the state. Prevention, education and treatment have been proven to work. If this is not done, adolescent gambling will surely continue.” 

Dr. Jeffrey Derevensky, Co-Director of the International Center for Youth Gambling Problems and High Risk Behaviours, McGill University gave a two hour presentation Youth gambling: From research to prevention, at the Adolescent Gambling Symposium. Participants were asked to form two breakout groups and discuss the Five Points of Interest for the purpose of examining issues related to the current concern with adolescent gambling.

FIVE POINTS OF INTEREST

1. Please identify the current adolescent gambling issues and problems that you are aware of (e.g., populations affected, service needs, information needs, lack of awareness).

2. What role do you believe the media plays in the current adolescent gambling trend and what role should they play in raising the awareness of adolescent gambling?

3. Is there a need for problem gambling education in our schools, and if so how should it be implemented?

4. Is there enough research currently available to properly address the issue of adolescent gambling and if not what should be done?

5. What safeguards can be put into place to protect our children.

“This Symposium provides a benchmark for future assessments of gambling and problem gambling among adolescents in New York,” said Maney.   “The report provides a foundation for policy making and planning for problem gambling prevention, education, research and treatment services for adolescents.  Consideration must now be given to educate New York adolescents about the risks of gambling, to provide problem gambling prevention services, to offer problem gambling treatment services, and to ensure that adequate and continuing problem gambling funds for such efforts are made available.”

Copies of the New York Council on Problem Gambling Adolescent Gambling Symposium report summary are available by contacting the Council at: 518/427-1622 or e-mail at: council@nyproblemgambling.org.

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