By: Jacob Aldrich

The Super Bowl brings action and excitement into our homes, millions of eyes glued to the big screen. But some of those eyes were also fixed on the game for other reasons: online sports gambling. This is a phenomenon that has been growing in popularity since many states have decided to legalize it, and has gotten more and more traction with many large corporations and celebrities backing them. But can it pose a danger to kids?

Two of the biggest sportsbooks in the United States – DraftKings and FanDuel – are now some of the official partners of the NFL and have ads that are played on many different TV stations, media outlets, and online, where most people get their entertainment and news. These companies also spent over $500 million dollars on ads last year alone, showing the kind of reach and power these companies have.

A report from the National Council on Problem Gambling found that around 60-80 percent of high school students in the last year gambled at some point. This, coupled with the fact that gambling has been legalized in over 34 states, and that there is not much verification needed to start gambling, has led to many underage gamblers. Younger kids who started gambling now feel it has reached the point of addiction as young adults.

Parents should limit children’s access to gambling sites and apps and set a good example – don’t show gambling as a normal way of lifeor be seen engaging with them. Talk to your kids about why gambling is a negative long-term behavior.

Overall, there are many things that parents might be worried about their children researching or looking up on the internet. But the problem of online gambling might be something new to consider and start the conversation with your children. Having an open and honest conversation with children, and reassuring them of the correct choice to make regarding gambling, can help mitigate this problem before it becomes an emotional and financial burden.

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Conversation Starters

  • Have you ever seen gambling ads online?
  • Do you, or anyone you know, engage in sports gambling or online gambling?
  • Have you seen any of your friends talk about gambling whether in a game, on social media, or in person?
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