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An Introduction to the Complexities of Youth Problem Gambling

Iowa HHS Problem Gambling Webinar Series Wednesday March 12th through Wednesday March 26thSession Description

Experts believe there have been three waves of gambling in the United States: establishing the colonies with lotteries, traveling west for the gold rush, and legalizing casinos in Nevada during the Great Depression. Despite previous challenges, gambling today is a $100 billion commercial enterprise – with legalized gambling available in every state except Utah and Hawaii.

Many experts believe that the fourth wave of gambling expansion is online gambling. There are roughly eight billion people in the world. Over five billion of those people use the internet. Over four billion people are active social media users and over three billion people play video games. Technology is not just a part of a person’s daily routine and school and work environment, but it is an integral part of most people’s lives.

Not surprising, there has been an uptick in young people gambling online with little to no safeguards or safe design standards to protect vulnerable populations from not just gambling, but also the persuasive design techniques that influence human behavior and keep them online and spending money. In addition, recent research is unveiling how gambling marketing and advertising is being directed at youth via social media.

This webinar will provide attendees with an introduction to the complexities of youth problem gambling. Participants will learn how all forms of gambling have impacted youth behaviors and begin to learn about the complexities of gambling expansion in the online world.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Describe youth problem gambling prevalence rates.
  • Consider risk and protective factors for youth problem gambling.
  • Discuss the impact gambling expansion has had on youth gambling behaviors.
  • Understand how persuasive design is being utilized in the online world to keep people online and spending money.

Registration Information

While this training is complimentary, registration is required. 

We strongly recommend registering at least 3 business days prior to the webinar to receive full details in advance. Please note, registering later than recommended may mean you will not receive your log-in instructions until the morning of the training session.

 

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Presenter(s)

Alison Wood is the North Carolina Problem Gambling Program Youth Prevention Coordinator with TELUS Health. She manages prevention grants and trains and provides technical support on adolescent problematic behaviors in gambling, gaming, and digital media use. She has partnered with researchers to develop curriculum in emotional regulation skills and digital media literacy in gaming and gambling. In addition, she spearheaded an initiative to provide asynchronous learning modules prevention and treatment of adolescent gambling, gaming, and digital media to be released in 2025. She is a passionate advocate for youth prevention education and mental health promotion and believes expanded efforts in prevention research is vital.