SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP, Allen County, Ohio (WLIO) — Ever since Ohio legalized casino gambling and sports betting, advertisements encouraging people to try their luck seem to be everywhere.
To help young people understand the risks, Lima’s Prevention Awareness Support Services, or PASS, brought the program “Stacked Deck” to the mental health class at Apollo Career Center.
The program teaches students about the dangers of gambling and how people can easily get caught up in the excitement and develop an addiction. Officials say gambling addiction is an issue that continues to grow among young people, including those under 18.
The program teaches students about the dangers of gambling and how people can easily get caught up in the excitement and develop an addiction.
“Well, about 15% of youth have acknowledged that they have spent money or personal items on gambling within the last year. They've got their cell phones, they've got computers, their iPads. So basically, if they want to gamble, they'll find a way to do it,” says Joann Rosengarten, Prevention Awareness Support Services.
Students say they see the risks of problem gambling in their everyday lives.
“Like some people, would just probably waste our money and keep doing it because they think they're going to win something as long as they keep going. But in reality, they might not,” says McKenjzie Morlock, Apollo Career Center Medical Student.
“It's a lot more accessible now, with phones and new technology, I think it's become more popular and kind of like a normal thing in the culture for people to do now,” says Mya Long, Apollo Career Center Student.
“It's a lot more accessible, especially to younger people, and it just will get them hooked on it, I feel like, and just cause a lot of bad things, because they can get addicted,” says Brooklyn Treece, Apollo Career Center Student.
If you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, help is available through the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966, the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER, or the Ohio Problem Gambling Online Resource Directory at www.GamblingHelpOhio.org.
