Gambling provokes powerful emotions. Winning makes people feel euphoric and even invincible. Losing can lead to discouragement and even desperation. Such strong feelings call for maturity, so gambling has traditionally been regarded as something only adults should do.
The Internet changed all that by making casino games readily available to children. In 2006, Congress tried to put the genie back in the bottle. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act made it harder for Americans to wager online and, at first, casinos took their business elsewhere. Eventually, they found ways around the law. By 2008, the Annenberg Public Policy Center estimated that, despite age restrictions, 700,000 young people were gambling for money online.
Today that figure is likely to be higher because of a flood of social apps that mimic casino games. Popular Facebook games like Jackpotjoy, Slotomania, and DoubleDownCasino appeal to children because they use the same colorful graphics and engaging cartoon characters that are prevalent in other kid-friendly games.
Supporters of the games insist that they are harmless because no money changes hands. Bets are placed with virtual currency and rewards exist only within the games. Many experts, however, believe such games normalize gambling, making it seem like harmless fun.
“It’s well-established that the younger children start gambling, the more likely they are to become habitual gamblers,” notes Dr. Carolyn Downs, a British researcher who took an interest in online gaming after her own daughter experienced a meltdown provoked by virtual losses in her favorite game.
How should parents respond to these chancy new games? Here are a few suggestions:
Set your own age limits. Every state prohibits offline gambling by children under 18. Consider establishing the same in-house rule for online games of chance. Or tie access to casino games with other benchmarks of maturity, such as handling time and money responsibly.
Distinguish between luck and skill. A child who shoots a hundred baskets increases the likelihood that she will score on the next shot. A child who reads a hundred books has a better vocabulary, which makes winning at word games more likely. Contrast those accomplishments with the random events at the heart of gambling. No matter how many times you flip a coin, roll the dice, shuffle the deck, or pull the handle on a slot machine, you can’t increase the likelihood of getting the outcome you want. Help your child understand that, even though luck is often a factor in life, the rewards to be had from personal effort and hard work are more reliable and durable.
Understand the appeal. Some young people play casino games simply because their friends play. Others turn to the games because they are bored or want an escape from stressful situations or emotions. Adolescents who can’t yet think about long-term consequences may find the instant rewards of gambling attractive. Young men, in particular, may be susceptible to the “get rich quick” appeal of gambling, especially if they are involved in sports where betting is prevalent. Understanding why your child is drawn to these games will help you steer him toward more wholesome alternatives.
Talk about risks. Online games separate gambling from consequences. Point out to your child that real life casinos make money, lots of money, and all of it comes from people who thought they would win and didn’t. Adults can gamble responsibly only if they use “extra” money that would have gone to entertainment, and stop when the money is gone. Children also need to know that for a small number of people — experts estimate between four and six percent — gambling can become compulsive. For these people, the “high” of winning becomes addictive and, like alcoholics or other addicts, their lives begin to revolve around getting their next fix. If you or your child are worried that someone has developed a gambling problem, help is available at the National Council on Problem Gambling (npgaw.org) and Youth Gambling International (youthgambling.com)
Control credit cards. Many online games allow players to convert virtual gaming into real gambling with a credit card. Although there are supposed to be age restrictions, motivated kids can get around them. Don’t give your child unrestricted access to credit cards and check statements every month for unauthorized charges. When you pay bills, talk about the importance of a good credit rating. Be sure your child understands that, if someone goes deeply into debt, he may not be able to borrow money for a car or a college education.
Carolyn Jabs, MA, raised three computer-savvy kids, including one with special needs. She has written Growing Up Online for 10 years and is working on a book about constructive responses to conflict. Visit www.growing-up-online.com to read other columns.
@ Copyright, 2012, Carolyn Jabs. All rights reserved.
