Warning signs of youth gambling:

• Students miss classes or entire school days with no explanation.
• Grades suddenly drop or assignments aren’t being completed.
• Disinterest towards extracurricular activities.
• Behavior becomes more secretive, defensive or aggressive.
• There’s an increased interest in money and value of possessions.
• They speak openly about an interest in gambling or borrowing money.

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Did you know that children introduced to gambling by age 12 are four times more likely to develop a gambling problem? It’s important to make time to talk with kids about gambling.

Here are a few discussion points:

• Explain that gambling results in losses more often than wins. Spending money on things they want is better than losing it all on a bet.
• Explain that underage gambling is illegal.
• Talk to them about the consequences of problem gambling, including being sad, having no money to spend, lower grades, and damaged friendships.
• Encourage healthy spending. Talk about how they plan to spend money they have from their after-school or summer job, as well as allowance.
• Ask questions about their experiences with gambling - and listen to their answers. 

<a href="http://www.bcdac.org/prevention/problem_gambling/youth_problem_gambling/index.php">Your Link Name</a>