Information for Educators – NCDHHS Problem Gambling

Problem Gambling Prevention for Youth

Research shows teenagers and college-aged young adults are more impulsive and at higher risk than adults for developing problems with gambling. According to the American Psychiatric Association, 10% to 15% of young people may have significant problems with gambling, compared to fewer than 5% of adults.

Students experiencing problem with gambling are more likely to use tobacco, drink heavily or binge-drink, smoke marijuana or use other illegal drugs, drive under the influence and have a low GPA. In fact, children who are introduced to gambling by the age of 12 are four times more likely to develop problem gambling.

With legalization of sports betting in many states across the country and the “gamblification” and “gamification” of the digital world, it is more important than ever to address the growing public health concern of youth problem gambling. The intersection between gaming, gambling, and digital media and the need for youth prevention education is greater than it has ever been as the world continues to become more connected in the digital space. Please click on the below link to learn more.

Media Literacy Document

Higher Education

The Sure Bet workshop series’ target audience consists of professionals and college and university faculty and staff. This workshop series provides a solid foundation for understanding problem gambling. It gives grantees an opportunity to become ambassadors of the program and helps them better understand the purpose and impact of the prevention programs. CEUs are provided for those who qualify. The prevention program grant can be utilized to cover the costs for training.

Youth Educators

Stacked Deck training is for the middle school and high school administrators, counselors, teachers, and at risk community-based program staff. The training covers problem gambling and the six lessons in the curriculum. All organizations receiving the grant will need to attend training. CEUs are available for the Stacked Deck training that occurs during the summer for school staff. The prevention program grant can be utilized to cover costs for traveling to the training. The training is no cost to grantees or prospective grantees.

Clinicians and Healthcare Professionals

The Blurring the Lines of Gambling (BLOG) is a workshop series designed to provide training on the prevention and treatment for youth affected by problem gambling and gaming.

The Introduction to Prevention and Treatment for Youth Problem Gambling and Gaming is located at the Behavioral Health Springboard and is a 5-module self-paced course open to anyone. This no cost online training provides a case for clinicians and healthcare professionals to integrate problem gambling and gaming screening, interventions, and treatment pathways into their practices

The NCPGP provides trained clinicians, peer support specialists and recovery ambassadors throughout the state who are available to make presentations on topics relating to problem gambling.

A few examples of training topics include:

Understanding problem gambling and resources
Youth problem gambling prevention
Family impact of problem gambling
Athletes and problem gambling
You are not required to have a current prevention program grant to request a speaker. Contact the NCPGP prevention coordinator to schedule your presentation, at no cost.

Contact Alison Drain or call 919-800-8482.

The NCPGP library has materials that can be distributed at no cost to help communities and organizations understand and address the impact of problem gambling.

In addition, the program is available for conferences and events to educate clinicians, educators and communities regarding problem gambling prevention and treatment services.

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM). This initiative is driven by the National Council on Problem Gambling.

A media kit has been developed and can be distributed upon request by the middle of February of each year. This kit includes information to post on social media and in electronic newsletters.