WASHINGTON - The National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) today announced it will launch its back to school initiative with Young Minds Inspired (YMI) to create a new educational program titled “Know the Odds.” This resource will be used to encourage teachers and parents to help students understand the warning signs of problem gambling and the facts about underage gambling. The program was developed based on the NCRG’s brochure “Talking with Children about Gambling” and was distributed to middle and high school students in 418 schools as they began the school year.
“Know the Odds” arrived in schools on September 6 in three communities: Las Vegas, N.V., Atlantic City, N.J., and Biloxi, Miss. Training materials in the teacher’s kit include a program guide, classroom posters and handouts for students and parents that meet both national education standards and practical classroom needs. The NCRG’s brochure “Talking with Children about Gambling” will also be included to help parents understand how to address underage gambling with their children. All materials are free of charge for the schools.
“The NCRG is excited about this partnership and the potential it holds to getting youth gambling information in the hands of parents, teachers and students,” said Glenn Christenson, chairman of the NCRG. “With an estimated 70 percent of Americans aged 14 to 19 years gambling in 2009, these issues need to be highlighted by educators and addressed by families to assist their children.”
“Talking with Children about Gambling” was developed in consultation with the Division on Addictions at Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. The publication provides a clear explanation of the warning signs for youth gambling and relevant approaches that parents can take to help their children and address the issue.
A downloadable copy of “Talking with Children about Gambling” is available on the NCRG website. To request copies of the brochure, please contact Amy Martin at 202-552-2689 or amartin@ncrg.org.
