Concerns Rise Over Gambling Addiction Among Youth and Student-Athletes in West Virginia

Increasing Calls to West Virginia Gambling Helplines from Young People

Experts in West Virginia are growing increasingly concerned about the vulnerability of young individuals and student-athletes to the dangers of gambling addiction. The operator of the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline, First Choice Services, reports a rising number of calls from these groups, reflecting a troubling trend of youths developing problematic gambling behaviors and struggling with control.

Accessibility to gambling activities has never been easier, amplified by the continuous presence of gambling advertisements and promotions targeting the public. This widespread exposure makes it harder for young people to avoid engaging in such risky behavior.

Sheila Moran, the director of marketing and communications at First Choice Services, highlights further issues brought on by mobile betting and casino events. She points out that casino-themed nights at school events like proms and graduations have become commonplace, and gambling products such as lottery tickets are often gifted to underage individuals during holidays and birthdays. Despite some seeing gambling as a lesser evil compared to substances like drugs, Moran emphasizes that gambling addiction can be just as destructive, with some of the highest suicide rates linked to it.

The impact on youth is especially severe, considering the long-term consequences gambling addiction can inflict. Research from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom has shown that individuals aged 20 to 24 struggling with gambling addiction are significantly more at risk, being four times more likely to die by suicide compared to their peers.

Research Highlights the Serious Effects of Gambling on Young People

This extensive study followed individuals from birth, accounting for socioeconomic factors that influence gambling behaviors and their subsequent effects. It adds important context to the growing evidence that gambling poses a serious threat to youth well-being.

As scrutiny increases over unauthorized gambling among athletes in the United States, calls for strengthened protections for young people, especially in West Virginia, come at a critical time. Additional research supports these concerns, underscoring the urgent need for awareness and preventive measures in communities across the country.