The Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) and its members are discouraging parents and other adults from purchasing lottery tickets for their children or other minors through a partnership with the McGill University International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors and the National Council on Problem Gambling.

 

With the holiday season right around the corner, as people scurry to find fun and exciting gift ideas to finish up their last minute shopping, lottery products such as scratch tickets are often popular stocking stuffers or easy choices to slip into someone’s Christmas or holiday card. While lottery products such as Scratch’nWin tickets make great gifts for adults, they are not appropriate for minors

 

“The CGA and our members take the issue of youth gambling very seriously,” said Bill Rutsey, President and CEO of the CGA. “It’s important to increase public awareness about offering lottery products as gift to minors – and to send a strong message that minors should not be participating in any gambling activity, no matter what the season. This holiday season, if you choose to offer a lottery product as a present, make sure you keep the person’s age in mind.”

 

Results from a recent study showed that 30 per cent of high school students received one or several lottery products as a gift during the past 12 months.

 

“Given the research on youth gambling we urge parents to reconsider before providing lottery products as gifts to minors,” explained Keith Whyte, executive director, National Council on Problem Gambling.

 

The sale of lottery products is reserved to those of legal age and older, similar to age restrictions placed on the sale of alcohol and tobacco.

Media contact:

Paul Burns, Vice President, Public Affairs
Canadian Gaming Association
www.canadiangaming.ca
44 Victoria Street, Suite 300
Toronto, ON M5C 1Y2
Direct: 416.304.6870
Cell: 416.579.3922
[email protected]

Dr. Alissa Sklar, Senior Researcher and Communications Specialist International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors
McGill University
www.youthgambling.com
Direct: (514) 398-2470
[email protected]