Teen Gambling

What is the background information on teen gambling? Gambling means taking part in any activity or game where you risk money, food & drinks or any valuable objects like an iPod or video game in order to win. Gambling is mostly about taking risks & having luck and knowledge or practice is not need in order to help a person win. Other games like pool or darts, for example requires knowledge on how to play the game, lots of practice and having the skills needed in order to influence the results. Card games like poker, for example are mostly chance, but they do have some skill elements required. The skill in card games comes from knowing what to do with the hand you have been dealt. The more a person knows about playing, the more it can increase the chances of winning. But a win is never guaranteed, because part of the game involves chance which all players have no control over the cards that he or she is dealt with. Even the best player can carry a losing hand. It might seem like gambling is a harmless pastime when a lot of people including teens do gamble. But gambling can easily become a problem that affects not just the person, but also the person’s family, friends & the life he or she will have. For some people, gambling can become as serious an addiction as drugs, tobacco, or alcohol. (Kids Health, 2012)
Why is teen gambling a social issue? What is the importance of researching this? Teens develop the urge to keep on gambling despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop problem gambling. Problem gambling occurs when a person’s gambling causes harm to themselves and to those around them such as a partner, family, friends, or others in the community. When gambling begins to consume more money and time than a person can afford it can affect many parts of their lives, including physical and emotional health, finances, relationships, work and study (Neal, Delfabbro & O’Neil, 2005). The important to research about teen gambling is to inform and