Research shows a growing number

of high school students are receiving lottery tickets or scratch cards as gifts during the holiday season. Based on this research, we feel it is important to raise public awareness around the impact of giving lottery products as gifts to minors.

Research shows that the majority of adolescents gamble occasionally, and that lottery products may be a gateway to problem gambling. Youth gambling has been shown to be linked to other risk-taking behaviors such as smoking, drinking and drug use, and youth are 2-4 times more likely to develop a gambling problem compared to adults.

Along with not buying lottery products for minors this holiday season Atlantic Lottery also encourages parents to:

• Learn the facts about gambling
• Encourage discussions and questions about gambling with your children
• Be aware of your own gambling behavior
• Know where your kids are going online and establish clear rules about what online games your children can play

For more information about youth gambling visit www.youthgambling.com