Teen Gambling

Everyday, millions of people across America place legal and illegal bets. Gambling is a part of American history and American culture. But the fastest growing ranks of gamblers today are teenagers. Teenagers are becoming addicted to gambling at alarming rates. This addiction is creating a crisis in American school where card and dice playing on school grounds is not uncommon. The long-term results are devastating. Many of today's teen gamblers will be the hard-core, compulsive gamblers of tomorrow. This episode of Investigative Reports examines the rise of teen gambling in America, and the costly consequences of teens who throw bet their money—and their lives. Teen Gambling would be useful for classes on American Culture, Criminal Justice and Ethics. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Objectives
Students will explore the increase of gambling among teen-agers. They will learn the dangers of gambling and the costs, financial and human, of legal and illegal gaming. They will examine ways in which teen-agers can get help and what they can do to prevent gambling from becoming a part of their lives.

• Animalistic
• Avid
• Compulsive
• Consequence
• Dismay
• Enticing
• Epidemic
• Illicit
• Incentive
• Prey
• Reluctant
• Spontaneous

1. Gambling is the fastest growing addiction among teen-agers. But what is gambling? How would you define gambling? Are games such as the lottery gambling?

2. There are many different ways to gamble, legal and illegal. What is the difference between legal and illegal gambling? What are some examples of each?

3. Teen-agers who gamble are betting more than their money. How are they gambling away their futures? What are some of the consequences of teen gambling?

4. There are minimum age restrictions for gambling. Yet teens that gamble get around these age limitations. How can underage teens gamble?

5. There is no faster way to lose your money than gambling. Yet people willingly bet their hard-earned dollars on the luck of the dice, slot machine or card. Why?

6. What is compulsive gambling? How is compulsive gambling different than occasional wagering?

7. The suicide rate among gamblers is one of the highest in the nation. Why do you think gamblers have such a high rate of suicide?

8. How is a gambling addiction less visible than other forms of addiction such as alcohol or drugs?

9. Discuss some of the dangers of gambling, for teenagers and adults.

10. What is a halfway house? How do halfway houses help some people who have gotten into trouble with gambling?

11. The Internet has changed many aspects of our lives, and gambling is no exception. How has the Internet made gambling easier and more accessible?

12. How can we prevent teen gambling? How can you make sure that you do not fall victim to teen gambling?

1. Design an anti-gambling advertisement or public service announcement.

2. Create a chart that illustrates how to prevent and treat teen gambling.

Related Videos

Primary Sources

• Jeff Savage, A Sure Thing?: Sports and Gambling (Lerner Publishing Group, 1997)Reading level Young adult
• Norma H. Jones, Mark A. Siegel (Editor) Nancy R. Jacobs (Editor), Gambling: Who Wins? (Gale Group, 1995) Reading level Young adult

Air Dates

• May 05, 2004