60,000 children in Britain are problem gamblers

Written by Super User 08 Oct 2010

Tens of thousands of 12 to 15-year-olds in Britain are becoming problem gamblers, a charity that works with gambling addicts has warned. GamCare, a charity which gives help, advice and treatment to problem gamblers, has released a report calling for children to be taught about the dangers of gambling. It says the rate of adolescent addicts is over three times as high as adult addicts. It also says young problem gamblers are more likely to be involved in alcohol and substance abuse, theft, truancy and likely to do less well at school. Jane Rigbye, head of the education development at GamCare, said: ‘Gambling is all around us. It is advertised on television, children are accessing Internet bingo sites and Internet poker sites. They have found ways of lying about their age to access these sites’. Rt Hon David Willetts MP, Minister for Universities and Science said, ‘Educating young people about the risks of gambling is vital’.

Pray: for the advertising and accessibility of gambling to be tightened in order to protect our youngsters. (Heb.13:5)

More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/video-60000-children-in-britain-are-problem-gamblers/6

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