Research shows that early childhood gambling experiences, including those with lottery products, can be a risk factor for gambling problems later in life.
This research prompted the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University and the U.S. National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) to join forces in developing the Gift Responsibly Campaign. Since 2001, the simple goal of the Campaign is to raise awareness about the risks of underage lottery play.
In 2022, 100% of Canadian and U.S. lotteries, along with numerous international lotteries and non-lottery organizations, have joined the Campaign to promote responsible gambling. The Campaign is also endorsed by the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) and the European Lotteries (EL).
Jeffrey Derevensky, Director of the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors said, “the Gift Responsibly Campaign is a great way to promote responsible gambling by encouraging adults to gift lottery tickets only to adults.”
“Youth problem gambling has emerged as a significant public health issue,” said Keith Whyte, NCPG Executive Director. “We are thrilled to have such support from the lottery community, as well as the non-lottery participants, for the 2022 Gift Responsibly Campaign as we work to minimize gambling-related harm.”
The 2022, the Gift Responsibly Campaign participants include:
Lottery Level 3:
Alberta Gambling, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, Atlantic Lottery, California State Lottery, Colorado Lottery, Connecticut Lottery Corporation, Hoosier Lottery, Illinois Lottery, Michigan State Lottery, New Jersey Lottery, New York State Gaming Commission, Division of Lottery, Ohio Lottery Commission, Oregon Lottery, Pennsylvania Lottery, The Mississippi Lottery Corporation, Virginia Lottery.
Lottery Level 2:
BCLC, DC Lottery, Florida Lottery, Georgia Lottery Corporation, Hrvatska Lutrija d.o.o., Iowa Lottery Authority, Kentucky Lottery Corporation, Maine State Lottery, Massachusetts State Lottery, Missouri Lottery, North Carolina Education Lottery, PLI Operator of Ireland's National Lottery, Rhode Island Lottery, South Carolina Education Lottery, South Dakota Lottery, Tennessee Education Lottery, Texas Lottery Commission.
Lottery Level 1:
Arizona Lottery, Camelot UK Lotteries Limited, Delaware Lottery, Idaho Lottery, Kansas Lottery, Loterija Slovenije, Loto-Québec, Louisiana Lottery Corporation, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, Maryland Lottery & Gaming Control Agency, Minnesota Lottery, Montana Lottery, National Lottery of North Macedonia, National Video Lottery of Macedonia - Casinos Austria LLC Skopje, Nebraska Lottery, New Hampshire Lottery, New Mexico Lottery, Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation, Oklahoma Lottery Commission, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), Österreichische Lotterien GmbH (Austrian Lotteries), Sask Lotteries, SAZKA a.s., Ukrainian National Lottery, Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery, Washington's Lottery, Western Canada Lottery Corporation, Wisconsin Lottery, WV Lottery, WyoLotto.
Non-Lottery Participants:
AdCare Educational Institute of Maine, Alcohol & Drug Abuse Services, Inc., Amplify, Inc, Area Substance Abuse Council, Arkansas Problem Gambling Council, Armstrong-Indiana-Clarion Drug and Alcohol Commission, Catholic Charities Steuben/Livingston Prevention Services, Center for Human Development, Inc, Choices Treatment Center, Community and Family Resources, Council on Chemical Abuse, Council on Compulsive Gambling of PA, Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling, Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission, GamFin.org, Grace Emmanuel Baptist Church, Hanover County Behavioral Health Wellness, HealthReach Community Health Centers of Maine, iCarol Software, IGT, Illinois Association for Behavioral Health, Illinois Council on Problem Gambling, Illinois Department of Human Services, Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, Jackpocket, Kansas Coalition on Problem Gambling, KYCPG, Lawrence County Drug and Alcohol Commission, Linn County Alcohol & Drug, MA Council on Gaming and Health (MACGH), Maine Council On Problem Gambling, Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling, Maryland Council on Problem Gambling, Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling, National Association of Administrators for Disordered Gambling Services, Nicasa Behavioral Health Services, Oklahoma Association on Problem Gambling and Gaming, Pathway To Recovery, Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services, Prevention Action Alliance, Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado, Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, Recovery Resources, Scientific Games, Stark County Mental Health & Addiction Recovery, The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, The Way Back Inn, Inc., Virginia Council on Problem Gambling, Washington County Prevention Coalition, Western CT Coalition, Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission, WI Council on Problem Gambling, Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Services, Inc.
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For 25 years, the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University has been at the forefront of leading-edge research aimed at identifying and understanding the critical factors related to youth gambling issues. The Centre has developed numerous award-winning prevention programs and provides consultations to government agencies around the world to develop responsible gambling initiatives.
About the National Council on Problem Gambling
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is neutral on legalized gambling. Based in Washington DC, NCPG is the only national nonprofit organization that seeks to minimize the economic and social costs associated with gambling addiction. If you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline, which offers hope and help without stigma or shame. Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.1800gamblerchat.org. Help is available 24/7 – it is free and confidential.
Help-Resources
If gambling has become a problem for you or a loved one, contact the Gambling: Help and Referral Helpline, which offers support and information on available resources in Québec. Call 1 800 461-0140 or visit https://aidejeu.ca/en/. Help is available 24/7 – it is free and confidential.
About McGill University
Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, McGill University is Canada’s top ranked medical doctoral university. McGill is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, both nationally and internationally. It is a world-renowned institution of higher learning with research activities spanning three campuses, 11 faculties, 13 professional schools, 300 programs of study and over 39,000 students, including more than 10,400 graduate students. McGill attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,000 international students making up 30% of the student body. Over half of McGill students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 20% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.
