Lottery tickets and scratchies have no place in Christmas stockings

Lottery tickets and scratch cards are popular gifts at Christmas time but the Problem Gambling Foundation wants to remind parents that they are not an appropriate gift for children.

Graeme Ramsey, Problem Gambling Foundation CEO, says many parents may not see lottery tickets and scratch cards as gambling.

“For some people it is harmless entertainment. But it is important to recognise that there is an associated risk and that risk is greater for adolescents,” he says.

The Gambling Act (2003) makes it illegal to buy Instant Kiwi tickets on behalf of an under 18-year-old.

Graeme Ramsey says many parents may not realise it is illegal and purchase them as gifts for children.

“It just isn’t appropriate to be giving children lottery tickets and scratch cards as gifts,” he says.

“Research shows that the earlier children are exposed to gambling, the more likely they are to develop gambling problems as adults. Teen gambling is increasingly on our radar and we urge parents and adults not to give lottery tickets and scratch cards to children for Christmas or at any other time of the year.”

Overseas research shows an alarming and increasing trend in the number of adults giving lottery tickets as gifts.

A recent Canadian study shows 24% of the 2,710 parents surveyed said their child had received a lottery ticket, scratch ticket or sports lottery ticket as a holiday, birthday, or other gift from a family relative or friend.

A similar number of parents (21%) reported giving their child one of these types of lottery tickets as a gift with 55% of those parents first giving their child a lottery ticket when their child was aged 13 or younger.

“We would like to remind parents that lottery tickets and scratchies are gambling, and they’d be better off buying something at the $2 shop,” Graeme Ramsey says.

Ends

© Scoop Media