With more and more states moving to legalise gambling, betting is expected to see a spike in popularity in America in the coming years.
For those with kids, it might well be concerning to see the spread of gambling pick up pace.
Gambling on the internet is too simple and easily accessible for it not to be a huge problem.
What should you tell your children about gambling when discussing the topic for the first time?
Be honest, but highlight the risks
While a lot of people are occasional gamblers and bet without major issues, it is clear that for some people it will develop into an addiction.
It is important to be honest with kids about this risk from the start.
Gambling can appear to be impossibly glamorous and it is this side that is emphasized in advertisements.
They do not show the other side, which can be that people lose all their money on betting.
It is important to give both sides to children. Explain that people gamble for a range of reasons: as a social activity, just for fun and for the chance to win money.
But there are never any guarantees that gambling will lead to winning, not losing, and this needs to be explained to kids in a clear and simple way so that they understand the risks.
You could opt to create a little gambling game where they ‘bet’ with their toys or gadgets, but can lose them.
Of course, you will give them back later, but it will show them what losing means.
Links between autism and addiction
If you have a child with autism, it is important to know about the hidden links between autism and addiction.
A lot of people seem to think people with autism do not get addicted, but newer research has since proven that this simply is not the case.
In fact, a study in Sweden has found that people with autism could actually be much more likely to become addicted if they have average or above-average intelligence quotients.
The age of your child with autism will impact on how you go about explaining this.
It is likely you already have ways of explaining how they may be different to others, so this is another.
Getting started with gambling is easier than ever
It may come as a surprise to learn just how easy it can be to start gambling these days.
The rise of online casinos, which saw a big spike in popularity over the course of 2020, means more people than ever before are gambling.
They are tempted in by welcome bonuses that offer perks such as free spins to persuade people to sign up for an account.
Some might think this is risk-free, but there are terms and conditions attached.
These can make it hard to win from bonus money and some people actually end up spending more as a result.
For kids, it is important to know about how gambling permeates video games these days. The FIFA soccer games are a good example.
In the popular mode called Ultimate Team, players can buy ‘packs’ with real money that they convert into ‘FIFA points’.
These packs could contain a star player, but there is no guarantee that players will receive anything good in them.
Increasingly, these packs – sometimes known as loot boxes – are seen as a form of gambling. Some people have lost a huge amount of money through buying packs on games like FIFA.
This is despite the fact there is nothing stopping young children from playing the game, whereas gambling in other forms is illegal for children.
Lead by example
When you talk to your kids about gambling, it is important to also try to set a good example.
You might think that it is harmless to buy the occasional lottery ticket or scratch card, but in the eyes of your child this could have the impact of normalising gambling.
Many people do not even really think of scratch cards or the lottery as gambling, but in reality these are not too different from playing a casino game like roulette or blackjack.
After all, it is still spending cash on something in the hope that it will result in a big money win.
It is up to you if you choose to avoid gambling entirely, but it is vital to think about how the decisions you make will impact on your child’s perception of betting.