SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – It’s no secret that gaming is big business, especially with the recent adoption of online sports betting here in Massachusetts.

What is less known, however, is the impact this has on children: studies show that more and more young people are participating in illegal and potentially dangerous activities for minors.

From lottery games to three full-service casinos to online sports betting, gambling is nothing new in Massachusetts.

It’s a cash cow, as casinos alone bring in more than $1 billion in gross gaming revenue in fiscal year 2023, resulting in $321 million in tax revenue.

This comes at a cost for some, as online gambling surveys conducted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst show that the number of people with gambling problems increased from 12.7% in 2014 to 20.9% in 2022 and 25.6% in 2023.

This is a worrying trend that has implications not only for adults, but also for children.

“Well, I think it can go down to 2nd or 3rd grade,” Tiffany Rufino, head of the Youth Mental Health Coalition, told us.

Rufino is the youth mental health manager at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, a Springfield-based organization that addresses local health needs and specifically offers community programs, “like beating the odds” to educate our youth about problem gambling.

She explained to us that betting for money is now a more socially acceptable behavior and, as a result, more and more children are participating in it.

“Because it’s so socialized, people just aren’t aware of it, or they don’t associate it with a potential problem. It’s just fun and games, right? RIGHT. Until it doesn’t. Until it’s not,” Ruffino emphasized.

In fact, according to a study conducted by DESE and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 43.5% of middle school students admitted to gambling in the past year, and by the time they get to high school, 60-80% of students reported that they have played at least once in the past 12 months.

It’s a surprising statistic that state-level health experts say.

“One thing we know about young people is that the earlier young people are exposed and engaged in gambling, the more likely it is to become a problem later in life,” explained Victor Ortiz of the Office of Gambling Services. problem gambling.

This behavior can start with something as seemingly innocent as scratching a lottery ticket or playing video or cell phone games.

The resulting “pay to play” thrill can easily translate, especially for children, into placing bets.

“We’re seeing some of the same patterns of behavior that we see in the addiction field. It’s young people, we have to find ways to get involved. And whether it’s clandestine gambling or attempts to gain access, particularly to sports sites, to betting sites, they will find ways. Young people are very creative,” Ortiz said.

And because of their age, they are more vulnerable.

Although problem gambling among children is still a relatively new phenomenon… it seems to go hand in hand with other risky behaviors, as children begin to experiment with tobacco, alcohol and drugs.

Worryingly, of all addictions, gambling is associated with the highest suicide rate.

“We know it’s very interconnected and so we know there’s a high rate of mental health in children, whether it’s depression or anxiety. So they are at significant risk of engaging in gambling, and not only of engaging in gambling, but also of experiencing gambling-related problems.”

The good news is that, both nationally and locally, health experts are taking notice and help is available.

Last month, the Ministry of Public Health announced $3.1 million in grants to community organizations to prevent problem gambling among children.

Closer to home in the Springfield area, Rufino says the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts is ready to respond by providing resources for parents and, perhaps more importantly, children.

“If young people are looking for something really fun and cool to do, they can visit our website, morethanmyhumour.org to find more information, and you can also on the more than my mood website, find resources for individuals and families regarding youth mental health and problem gambling prevention,” Ruffino said.

If you would like to learn more about resources available to help children combat problem gambling, check out these links:

https://www.publichealthwm.org/youth-mental-health

https://www.morethanmymood.org/

You can also visit the DPH Child Problem Gambling Hotline at 1-800-327-5050.

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