SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – It’s no secret gambling is big business, especially with the recent adoption of online sports betting here in Massachusetts.

What’s lesser known, however, is the impact it’s having on children – as studies show more and more young people are taking part in something that’s illegal and potentially dangerous for minors.

From lottery games to three full-service casinos, and most recently online sports betting, gambling is nothing new to Massachusetts.

It’s a cash cow, as the casinos alone bring in more than $1 billion in gross gaming revenue in fiscal year 2023, with a resulting $321 million in tax revenue.

It comes at a cost for some, as online gambling surveys conducted by the University of Massachusetts, Amherst show that those experiencing gambling problems jumped from 12.7% back in 2014, to 20.9% in 2022, and 25.6% in 2023.

It’s a troubling trend that has implications not just for adults, but also for children.

“Well, I think it can go as low as 2nd or 3rd grade,” youth mental health coalition manager Tiffany Rufino told us.

Rufino is the youth mental health manager at the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, an organization based in Springfield that supports local health needs and in particular, provides community-based programs, “like beat the odds” to educate our youth about problem gambling.

She told us that betting for money is now a more socially acceptable behavior, and as a result, more and more children are taking part.

“Because it’s so socialized, folks just are not aware of, or they don’t associate it with it potentially becoming a problem. It’s just all fun and games, right? Right. Until it isn’t. Until it isn’t,” Ruffino emphasized.

In fact, according to a study conducted by DESE and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 43.5% of middle school students admitted to gambling in the previous year, and by the time they get to high school, 60-80% of students reported that they gambled at least once in the past 12 months.

It’s a startling statistic that has health experts at the state level concerned.

“One thing that we know about young people, is that is that the earlier young people are exposed and engaged in gambling, the more likely it become a problem later on in their lives,” Victor Ortiz of the Office of Problem Gambling Services explained.

That behavior might start off with something as seemingly innocent as scratching off a lottery ticket or playing some video and cell phone games.

The resulting ‘pay to play’ pleasure can translate easily, especially for kids, to placing bets.

“We see some of the same patterns of behavior that we see in substance abuse. It’s young people, find ways to engage. And whether it’s underground gambling or trying to gain access, especially on sports sights, on betting sights, they’ll find ways. Young people are very creative,” Ortiz shared.

And because of their age, they’re more vulnerable.

While problem gambling in children is still a relatively new phenomenon… it seems to go hand-in-hand with other risky behaviors, as children begin to experiment with smoking, and alcohol, and drugs.

Disturbingly, amongst all addictions, gambling is linked to the highest rate of suicide.

“We know that it’s very interconnected and so we know there is a high rate of mental health in regards to children, whether we’re talking about depression, whether we’re talking about anxiety. So, they are at significant risk of engaging, and not only engaging in gambling but experiencing problems with gambling.”

The good news is, both at the state and local level, health experts are taking notice and help is out there.

Just last month, the Department of Public Health announced $3.1 million in grants to community organizations to prevent problem gambling among children.

Closer to home in the Springfield area, Rufino says the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts is ready to respond with resources for parents, and perhaps more importantly, for kids as well.

“If any young people are looking for something really fun and cool to do, they can visit our website, morethanmymood.org to find out more information, and then you can also on the more than my mood website, find resources for people and families around youth mental health and problem gambling prevention,” Ruffino said.

If you’re interested in learning more about the resources available to help with problem gambling for kids check out these links:

https://www.publichealthwm.org/youth-mental-health

https://www.morethanmymood.org/

You can also consult the The DPH Childhood Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-327-5050.

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