Oregon Finds Teen Gambling

May 31, 2008

A recent survey by the Oregon Department of Human Services has found that among teenagers a whopping 33% have participated in online gambling. The only good part is that they are online gambling for free and not for money � but that isn�t really a good thing.

According to officials, almost 95,000 teenagers between the ages of 12 and 7 have been participating in online gambling for free over the past year. But even though they are not losing money, officials are concerned with the message that they are getting from all of this online gambling.

According to Wendy Hausotter, Problem Gambling Prevention Coordinator for the Oregon Department of Human Services, they are learning a very dangerous lesson. She says that they are learning that online gambling is fun, and there are no consequences � which could not be further from the truth.

Hausotter says that this will simply lead to real money games later on when they are old enough to participate in online gambling for real. She says that she is worried because it is convenient and easily accessible and these kids are doing it without adult supervision. Plus they are getting a high level of stimulation which is so appealing to today�s youths.

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