(continued from Page 2)
One teen walked into our offices wearing a PokerStar.com baseball cap. I noted what an attractive
cap it was and he responded if you lose $10,000 they'll send you one as well.
Teaching individuals the probability of winning the 6/49 appears to do little to deter individuals
from purchasing lottery tickets. A teen with a serious gambling problem once reported to me that he
was intent on purchasing a lottery ticket. When I indicated his chances were greater to be struck
by lightning than winning the lottery, he responded that it looked very cloudy outside and who knows
if there will be a lightning storm!
Adolescents in particular think they're smarter, more resilient, more intelligent than the rest of
us. However, for every smart poker
What did your kids do this summer?
Stung On-Line
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player there is always someone smarter, someone luckier (adolescent boys in particular attribute winning
to skill and losses to be luck). Going to poker camp is not the answer. Unlike many other risky behaviors
that adolescents eventually try, we have few prevention programs in place in our schools to educate
adolescents about excessive gambling and/or how to engage in it in a responsible manner. As well, we have
even fewer parent/adult outreach programs to help educate the public. We all have a responsibility to help
establish effective prevention and awareness programs.
Clinicians dealing with problem gambling were uniformly outraged at the prospects of a poker camp for children. What's next — drinking camp? |
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“I didn't want to come here, but it's good. I'd like to stop gambling, but I fear I can't. I'm trying to work on it, but it's hard to change my thinking,” Austin said. “It's a powerful addiction, but coming here I realized I'm not alone. I thought something was wrong with me. Before, I had no hope; now I have hope.” To other young people thinking of gambling online, Austin cautions them to consider the dangers of letting it consume their lives. “Know the other side of the coin. Be aware that gambling and poker is glamorized on TV, but for every guy holding up the big prize there are thousands who have sacrificed time, money and most of all, family and important relationships in their lives, and have lost in more ways than one.” Printed with permission |
“Hi all,
Hope everything is good there. I am doing well. I gave a speech to a group in a one-week program in Oakville last week and gave your program some free advertising. While I was giving them my history, I got emotional. I was surprised that this happened. I thought I was past this and it really caught me off guard. Overall it was a great experience and I really think it helped me. I just hope it helped them as well. I think it is important for me to give back to something that has given me the opportunity to do so much with my life. I found out that two of my friends are in serious trouble due to their gambling debt with the wrong sort of people. I am trying to help but they want the help for the wrong reasons. We sure are a tough breed to get through to! I told them about the help that is available to them, specifically your program. If you can help me, then you can help anyone.”
Bruno
Hope everything is good there. I am doing well. I gave a speech to a group in a one-week program in Oakville last week and gave your program some free advertising. While I was giving them my history, I got emotional. I was surprised that this happened. I thought I was past this and it really caught me off guard. Overall it was a great experience and I really think it helped me. I just hope it helped them as well. I think it is important for me to give back to something that has given me the opportunity to do so much with my life. I found out that two of my friends are in serious trouble due to their gambling debt with the wrong sort of people. I am trying to help but they want the help for the wrong reasons. We sure are a tough breed to get through to! I told them about the help that is available to them, specifically your program. If you can help me, then you can help anyone.”
Bruno
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The Chase is published and distributed in partnership with Bingo Industry Group |
Look for our next issue February 2007 |
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