Lotteries worldwide encourage adults to give responsibly

McGill Centre teams up with NCPG and industry partners to send responsible gaming message

The annual Holiday Campaign, through the collaborative partnership of the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University and the National Council on Problem Gambling in Washington, D.C., highlights the risks of giving lottery tickets and scratch cards as holiday gifts to minors. These are increasingly popular gifts and stocking stuffers that can potentially lead down a road that is harmful. "We know that there are risk factors for gambling problems, one of them being gambling at an early age" explained Keith Whyte, executive director, National Council on Problem Gambling. "We are encouraging adults to simply help reduce risk factors for the children in their lives."

A record number of lottery corporations throughout the world are sharing the message "Lotteries are not Child’s Play. Give Responsibly this Holiday Season."

"It is inappropriate for underage minors to play the lottery and this can increase the potential for involvement in other forms of gambling and problem gambling later in life," said Jeffrey Derevensky, co-director of McGill’s International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors and a renowned expert on problem gambling among young people. "We look forward to growing support and encourage all lottery corporations to join with us to convey the message that lottery tickets are for adults... not for children."

As of December 1, the 2011 participants include:

AB Svenska Spel (Sweden), Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission, Arizona Lottery, Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, Atlantic Lottery, Austrian Lotteries, British Columbia Lottery Corporation, California Lottery, Colorado Lottery, Connecticut Lottery Corporation, DC Lottery, Hoosier (Indiana) Lottery,

Jogos Santa Casa (Portugal), Kentucky Lottery Corporation, Loto-Québec, LOTTO Saxony-Anhalt (Germany), Manitoba Lotteries, Maryland Lottery, Minnesota State Lottery, Missouri Lottery, North Carolina Education Lottery, Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, Oregon Lottery, Rhode Island Lottery, Saskatchewan Lotteries, South Dakota Lottery, Texas Lottery, Virginia Lottery and West Virginia Lottery.

We welcome all groups and individuals to join the campaign and help encourage adults not to purchase lottery tickets for their underage children and relatives.

Jeffrey Derevensky , Co-Director, International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems - Tel.: (514) 398-4249