NCPG and State Lotteries Collaborate to Deter Giving Tickets to Children

With December in full swing and holiday shopping in motion, many people consider lottery tickets as quick, inexpensive gifts. While they can spark excitement for adults, experts warn they are not suitable for children.

The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has refreshed its long-standing Gift Responsibly initiative, originally launched by the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University. This season, they introduced the Too Young to Bet campaign to emphasize the dangers of giving lottery tickets to minors.

The campaign focuses on three main objectives: educating the public about the risks of providing lottery tickets to children, raising awareness of youth gambling hazards, and promoting responsible gambling while staying neutral on legalized gaming.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has also highlighted that lottery tickets are a form of gambling and should never be included in gifts for minors, including stocking stuffers.

Several state lotteries, including Maryland and Pennsylvania, have joined the initiative. Maryland Lottery officials reminded residents that Lottery tickets are not an appropriate gift for children and reinforced responsible play messages across all forms of gambling, including casinos and sports betting.

Maryland sets the legal age for lottery participation at 18 and for casino or sports betting at 21. Officials emphasize designing lottery products to avoid appealing to minors and ensuring measures are in place to prevent underage participation.

Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko echoed the message, stating that while lottery games provide entertainment for adults, they should be kept out of childrens hands. Participation in the campaign helps reinforce safe, responsible gambling practices during the holiday season.

The NCPG initiative is backed by the North American Association of State & Provincial Lotteries and has endorsements from the World Lottery Association and European Lotteries, strengthening its outreach across the continent.

Author: Lucas Grant