Holiday Lottery Tickets Are Inappropriate Gifts for Teens, Responsible Gaming Advocates Remind
There are plenty of gift ideas because it's the Christmas season. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is once more bringing attention to the irresponsibility of giving lottery tickets to individuals who are not old enough to buy them.
The Gift Responsibly Campaign is held every December by the NCPG, the only national nonprofit organization devoted to reducing the negative effects of gaming. A record 67 lotteries, 165 community partners, and two gaming companies—Bally's and PrizePicks—are supporting this year's event.
"Too Young to Bet," an activity that coincides with the Gift Responsibly campaign and aims to increase awareness about the dangers of youth gambling, is new for 2025.
"While raising awareness about the dangers of buying or gifting lottery tickets to children is still the primary focus of the Campaign, NCPG has received requests for additional campaign graphics, factsheets, and resources about other types of gambling that may impact children,” the advocacy explained. “‘Too Young to Bet’ was added to make the Gift Responsibly Campaign more accessible to participants who may not find the gift-focused messaging applicable to their culture, country, or audience.”
The NCPG goes on to say that although lottery items may be mentioned in the campaign's content from time to time, the main point is that no form of gambling is safe or appropriate for kids.
Growing Concern over Adolescent Gambling
The NCPG claims that worries about teenage gambling have only gotten worse in recent years due to the growth of sports betting, e-sports, and video game loot boxes.
"Young people are increasingly exposed to gambling long before they’re ready to understand the risks. Through the Gift Responsibly and Too Young to Bet campaigns, we’re equipping parents and educators with information about the importance of keeping gambling out of kids’ hands,” said Derek Longmeier, NCPG board president.
“This year’s record-breaking participation from lotteries, gambling operators, and community organizations around the world shows just how deeply this message resonates. Building strong awareness today helps safeguard the well-being of future generations,” Longmeier continued.
Level 3 lottery partners commit to creating their own press releases about the Gift Responsibly initiative, posting at least 11 social media posts regarding teenage gambling and responsible gaming, running a digital or commercial campaign about the program, and submitting an editorial to the media. This year's Lottery 3 partners are the lotteries of California, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Tickets for the Holiday Lottery
The majority of state lotteries nationwide provide unique scratch-offs with holiday themes. States that permit online lottery games also host joyous interactive events.
Santa Claws, $CROOGE, and Spectacular Seasons are just a few of the online games offered by the Virginia Lottery. Tis the Season, Cashing Through the Snow, and Gnome for the Holidays are among of the Commonwealth's temporary online scratchers.
The phrase "Lottery games are not for minors" is presently displayed alongside the "Gift Responsibly" badge on the Virginia Lottery's website and social media posts.
