New Campaign Takes Aim at Gifting IL Lottery Tickets to Kids

(Springfield, IL) – An Illinois youth gambling prevention program is rolling out a holiday campaign to prevent the gifting of Illinois lottery tickets to children.

Focus Youth Gambling Prevention, a program of the Springfield-based Illinois Association for Behavioral Health, has allied with community organizations from across Illinois to raise awareness about the risks associated with giving lottery products as gifts to minors, especially during the holiday season.

The Illinois group’s initiative, organized by the National Council on Problem Gambling, the International Center for Youth Gambling Problems, and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University under the “Gift Responsibly Campaign” banner, is being funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates Focus Youth Gambling Prevention’s commitment to corporate social responsibility through the Gift Responsibly Campaign, which raises awareness about the risks associated with giving lottery products as gifts to minors during the holiday season -- or any time of the year,“ said Sarah Martin, Focus Youth Gambling Prevention’s Prevention Program Coordinator. “Research linking early exposure to gambling to future problem gambling and other risky behaviors is why ‘Focus’ is involved in the campaign.”

Lotteries are a ticket to later-in-life gambling problems, expert says.

“We are very appreciative of the efforts of ‘Focus’ to educate adults and youth about the potential consequences associated with underage lottery play,” said National Council on Problem Gambling Executive Director Keith Whyte. “The evidence clearly shows that exposure to gambling as a youth increases the probability of gambling problems later in life. Regardless of what time of year it is, adults should find gift options for children other than lottery tickets.”

Starting on December 1, Focus will launch its campaign that offers guidance and alternative ways to gift to children this holiday season without the need to give Illinois lottery tickets. This will include providing information on the gift responsibly campaign, discouraging adults from gifting lottery tickets to kids, and offering suggestions for other gifts.

“Our message is a simple one: lottery tickets are appropriate gifts only for adults,” said Martin.

davidormsby@davidormsby.com