Youth gambling, crime, suicide

Gambling addiction linked to suicidal behavior in teens--study

Gambling, often perceived as a harmless hobby, is especially risky for teens, and can easily escalate into a problem behavior, claims a new study.

According to experts, the relatively easy access to a variety of gambling venues, such as online betting opportunities, family trips to the racetrack and video games all contribute to a culture of gambling among the youngsters.

However, what starts out as a small diversion, soon acquires dangerous connotations, and the lure of easy money can propel teens towards risky activities.

Principle investigator Dr. Robert Mann from the Center for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto stated, "We also found that students who reported problem gambling indicators also reported high rates of elevated psychological distress and other potentially dangerous behaviors.”

Link between destructive behavior and gambling examined
In order to establish a link between destructive behavior and gambling, the researchers surveyed 9000 middle and high school students across Ontario in 2009.

Nearly half the participants were involved in some gambling activity over the year. It was noted that betting on card games and purchasing lottery tickets were the most common form of gambling while internet and casino gambling were the least popular.

Revelations of the study
The researchers found that three percent of students in grades seven to twelve exhibited signs of addiction. They gambled more than intended and also had no qualms about skipping school to pursue their habit.

The study found that nearly two-thirds of the students addicted to gambling were consuming alcohol and doing drugs while a quarter had attempted suicide within the year compared with about two percent of their peers.

Mann stated, "If you look at the general population of students, about 26 per cent have some kind of issue with some kind of substance, whether they reported a binge drinking pattern, which is relatively common, or using cannabis or some other drugs.

He added, "Among those with a gambling problem, it turns out 68.5 per cent have a problem with a substance like alcohol or cannabis.”

An alarming aspect of the study was that problem gamblers were more inclined towards criminal behavior.

They openly admitted to stealing, selling drugs, and wrecking property.

According to experts, the odds of teens carrying a handgun and getting embroiled in gang fights were 11 times higher.

In addition, they were 20 times more likely to indulge in illegal activities like selling drugs other than cannabis.

"There's a consistent theme here about these students involved in delinquent behaviours related to obtaining money," Mann said.

Implications of the study
Though, gambling may seem to parents to be a relatively safe activity for adolescents, since it does not involve drinking or drugs, experts warn them about the dangers of teenage gambling addictions.

According to them, problem gambling can be just as life damaging as an addiction to any other substance and there is an urgent need to tackle the problem at home, in schools, and in the society.

Dr. Bruce Ballon, head of the centre's teen clinic for problem gambling, gaming and internet use stated, "Even though it seems very minor and fun, they're being primed and trained to think gambling is a natural thing without thinking about what that means.”