What appears to young people as harmless betting among friends can have serious longterm consequences, and may be as addictive as drugs, according to panelists at the Rye Free Reading Room recently at a program sponsored by the Rye Youth Council.
Sports betting has become a major force in youth gambling since it was legalized in New York in 2022. The panelists said that Westchester County’s gambling rate is roughly twice the statewide average, and when the N.Y. Knicks were in the NBA finals, the temptation was even greater.
What may surprise some is that the payout is not the most addictive part of gambling. The anticipation releases dopamine, which is the reward, and gamblers often chase that feeling repeatedly, creating a cycle of addiction.
Boys are particularly susceptible to the thrill of gambling, the panelists said. And it’s a problem that can worsen over time.
“We often say in our practice, little people, little problems, big people, big problems,” said Anthony Palombi, a mental health counselor and one of the panelists.
At a young age, boys and girls become involved in video games; games like Roblox and Fortnite are popular among children. The games often include randomized rewards, premium purchases, and pay-to-win mechanics that experts say can normalize gambling-like behaviors.
The panelists noted that gambling problems often go unnoticed because they lack the visual warning signs associated with drugs or alcohol.
“You can’t ‘overdose’ from gambling,” said panelist Monique Tricarico, an underage gambling prevention coordinator for Student Assistance Services Corp. As a result, parents don’t recognize their child’s addiction until it begins affecting their mental health, school work, or relationships. Early signs of addiction are isolation, secrecy around devices, lack of interest in extracurricular activities, and missing school, according to the Problem Gambling Resource Center.
Genevieve Weber, a Rye resident and counselor who specializes in addiction, said that, as with alcoholism, gamblers can relapse, and they need a commitment and a safe space for remission.
Early intervention can make a big difference, said Palombi, who suggested that rather than reacting with strictness and anger, parents must be open and honest. By answering their children’s questions, parents can create an atmosphere of trust that discourages gambling-like behaviors.
Young people often fear being left out, so they are likely to follow what older children are doing. Through the “Say Something Say Anything” program recently launched at Rye High School, older students have spoken to younger peers in health class about peer pressure. This peer-to-peer outreach emphasizes that having even one supportive friend can make it easier to avoid gambling and other risky behaviors.
“People are surprised to learn that gambling is the addiction most correlated with suicide,” Tricarico said. “Adolescents are vulnerable and learning to deal with stress. They need to learn healthy stress coping strategies rather than gambling.”
According to the Rye Youth Council, the combination of shame, secrecy, financial deprivation, and hopelessness that gambling brings can easily overwhelm a young person whose ability to think long term is still developing.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has said the state is pursuing stronger age-verification, prevention, and treatment measures for online betting, which requires users to be at least 21 and provide a Social Security Number. But kids are still figuring out how to bet, either with numbers provided by parents or other means.
“From day one, one of my highest priorities has been keeping kids and our most vulnerable safe in a rapidly changing digital world, and that includes risks posed by online gambling,” Hochul said.
On college campuses, gambling is very common, which tracks with the panelists’ assertion that males ages 22 to 30 are the most likely to gamble. According to the New York Council on Problem Gambling, 45.5 percent of college students reported gambling in the last year, legally or illegally. At the top of the list of activities are betting with friends, buying lottery tickets, sports betting, playing cards, and online betting.
Over 90 percent of those with a gambling disorder also have a mental health diagnosis. The panelists noted that individuals with ADHD may be particularly vulnerable, because of impulsivity and reward-seeking behaviors.
Weber cited information from The Connecticut Council Program showing that while alcohol and drug use have decreased, gambling is on the rise. In fact, gambling increases the likelihood of using alcohol, tobacco, and e-cigarettes and vapes as well.
If your child is be showing signs of problem gambling, a mental health professional can do an evaluation. Raising awareness among parents, children, and communities is a way to address casual betting before it develops into serious addiction.
