As we approach the holiday season, the California Lottery reminds players and its retail partners to gift responsibly by discouraging the sale or gifting of lottery products to minors. Every year the Lottery partners with the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), problem gambling advocacy organizations and a collaborative of lotteries around the world to increase public awareness about the impact of giving lottery products as gifts to minors.
The annual holiday campaign is one of many Responsible Gaming (RG) endeavors that the Lottery has joined to help raise awareness of problem gambling.
Studies show that minors who received instant lottery tickets as a gift tended to begin gambling earlier in life—a possible risk factor for more severe gambling disorders later in life.
Over the last two years, the Lottery has made several improvements to its RG programs—some of which include:
• Training 97 percent of its workforce on how to recognize problem gambling behavior and referring people to treatment services available.
• Increasing its efforts during Problem Gambling Awareness Month.
• Launching the first U.S. lottery industry Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) website.
• Expanding its retailer training program to include RG and beneficiary messages.
In addition, the Lottery participates in new collaborations with the California Office of Problem Gambling and the California Council on Problem Gambling.
Most recently the Lottery introduced its new 18+ Play Responsibly logo to prevent and stop the illegal play and sale of Lottery games to minors.
For more information on the Lottery’s responsible gaming efforts, please visit www.californialottery.com.
The California Lottery is a $5 billion enterprise based in Sacramento. It is one of the few state agencies that is a revenue generator, not accepting taxpayer dollars. Its mission is to provide supplemental funding to California schools while simultaneously supporting local communities. In fiscal year 2013-14, the Lottery created 89 new millionaires. Ninety-five cents of every dollar spent by players goes back to local communities in the form of contributions to public schools and colleges, prizes and Lottery retailer compensation. The California Lottery urges its customers to play responsibly and within their budgets. If you feel you have a gambling problem, or know someone who does, you can get help at 1(800)GAMBLER. www.calottery.com.
