Should Age Restriction for Gambling Be Increased?

Should age restriction for gambling be increased?

A youth enthusiasm and interest to begin gambling is clear: from early childhood people are tent to idolize winners and get inspired by them, especially, teenagers. They notice only “the player raking in armfuls of chips”, not a loser across the table. In addition, they always need extra money, but they do not want to work.  Hence, gambling is a unique way how get cash not having a job. Recent studies by Youth the National Opinion Research Center have shown that currently about 80 per cent of high school students participate in some sorts of gambling (National Research Council). Unfortunately, there are several dangerous consequences for young gamblers such as a period of depression, attempt to suicide and growth of crime.

First of all, gambling addiction causes depression based on emotional and social issues. Gambling addiction among youth has gained wild popularity due to development of communication and social media. Having access to the Internet gives tremendous opportunity for teenagers to gamble even though many of them are underage. In addition, teenagers are very impulsive and likely to take unnecessary risk. Since the process of playing becomes easier and more convenient, students do not have to go far, they can gamble from home. It makes students skip school and slowly gain bad habits; having wasted all their time and money on gambling directs them to depression and unhappiness. As a result, they start having other addiction such as alcohol abuse.  Indeed,

The 29,000 Ontario students in grades 7-12 demonstrate their behaviors that indicates that they are having gambling problems. Two-thirds of these students have problems with drugs and/or alcohol”. As the research also shows that gamblers two to seven times more likely to take drugs, smoke and drink. (UPI Toronto)  

Thus, time and money can be invested for constructive purposes; instead they have being wasted on gambling that brings unhappiness and sadness and follows to various harm addictions. Secondly, the negative concern of gambling for teenagers can be overwhelming, leading to feelings of shame, guilt, hopelessness and even suicide. Not long time ago, parents carelessly gave their children chance to play lotteries and card games without being concerned of dramatic consequences that lead to addiction and behavior disorder. It should be emphasized, by doing this parents prepare for their children a way to a suicide, youngsters get used to gamble, do it constantly and at one moment they find themselves “at the bottom”. After a period of gambling, youngsters leave without friends, money, everyone gave up on them. Moreover, gambling problems might cause strong feeling in families and make relationship tough, family member might avoid gamblers because of the shame. Therefore, one method to avoid all problems which works for them is suicide. For instance, Canadian researchers warn gambling is a growing problem among children and teens and linked to higher suicide risks. “So one-quarter of Ontario students who gamble periodically attempt to kill themselves within a year” (UPI Toronto). According to The National Council on Problem Gambling, “about 20% of pathological gamblers attempt suicide – a higher percentage than any other addictive disorder. And the families of problem gamblers are also at a higher risk of suicide for many of the same reasons” (The Centre For Addiction 15). Teenagers who play constantly are more likely to have social problems and family issues and as a consequence they more often commit suicide.