Gift Responsibly This Holiday Season
Did you know that an early big win can be a predictor for gambling addiction later in life? This is at the core of the Gift Responsibly campaign, created by the National Council on Problem Gambling.
Even $5 can seem like a big win for a child.
Children get the dopamine hit of the prize without the ability to process the risk of loss involved. The feeling of winning is exciting and can become something to chase after. The positive association of lottery tickets and the holidays or other positive experiences can show up later in life as something positive to seek out in tough times. A winning lottery ticket could show up as hope for a better future, especially if money is tight. While most people do not develop gambling addiction, your awareness as a parent about the ways a child can experience winning on a lottery ticket is knowledge you can use.
Instead of lottery tickets as stocking stuffers, go for a gift card. They know the outcome of a $5.00 gift card to their favorite store.
