Youth / College Programming

Key Messages

Today’s youth are the first to grow up in a society in which  gambling is legalized and actively promoted, normalized and glamorized.

The Youth Gambling Awareness Program supports youth by providing accurate information about gambling and by facilitating a discussion of gambling issues that affect young people today.

The topic is gambling but the message is consistent with AODA programming for youth with a focus on decision making skills, coping strategies, asset development and critical thinking.

Research Shows

• Adolescents report significant higher rates of problem gambling than adults,
• Problem gamblers are significantly more likely to start gambling earlier in life than non-problem gamblers,
• Gambling patterns begin as early as 8 years of age and can be established before an adolescent reaches high school.

Program Basics

Interactive, age appropriate presentations that are approximately 1 hour in length (flexible). Topics covered include:

• Understanding Odds and Randomness
• Definition of Gambling
• Skill vs. Chance
• Signs of Problem Gambling
• Harm Reduction Strategies

Other Services

In addition to presentations to schools and organizations that work with youth we also provide:

• 24-Hour Helpline/Chatline
• High School Educational Curriculum
• Statewide Compulsive Gambling Conference
• Training of Human Service Professionals
• Mini-Grant
• Public Awareness Programs

For more information about our program: outreach@wi-problemgamblers.org