During the holiday season, as we prepare to share gifts with family and friends, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) would like to take this opportunity to again remind parents and adults that all lottery products, including INSTANT tickets, are a form of gambling and are not suitable gifts for children and minors.
Lottery products may be great gift ideas for special occasions, but they are not for children and youth. It’s important that parents and adults understand the proven risks and impacts associated with underage gambling. If you decide to buy lottery gifts for friends and family, please ensure the recipients are at least 18 years of age and older.
There is extensive free information and resources available dealing with youth and gambling:
- The YMCA Youth Gambling Awareness Program (YGAP) is a free service funded by Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to raise awareness among youth of gambling risks, how to make informed decisions, and healthy, active lifestyles.
- The Gambling, Gaming and Technology Use (GGTU) program at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) supports addictions and mental health service providers through continuing professional development, digital tools and resources, and facilitating knowledge mobilization activities related to problem gambling, video gaming, and internet addiction.
- The Responsible Gambling Council (RGC), an independent non-profit organization focused on the prevention of problem gambling in Canada and worldwide, with information on Teens or Young Adults and gambling.
Also, OLG’s PlaySmart.ca can help parents understand the facts when it comes to games, and concepts like odds and randomness. There’s also a “Finding Help” section with links to the support resources above and more.
OLG has supported the National Council of Problem Gambling and McGill University’s Holiday Campaign for many years, which encourages lotteries in Canada, the United States and around the world to promote the important message that lottery products are not for kids.