Young people are growing up in an environment saturated with gambling opportunities, posing a need for education on responsible gaming practices. With an increase in online gambling options, Rush Street Interactive (RSI) has launched an initiative to educate high school students.
In partnership with Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360), it has created the Gaming Literacy Aiding Decisions (GLAD) initiative. This curriculum is designed to help educators teach high school students about gambling literacy. "We believe our role extends beyond merely operating online gambling sites," said Richard Schwartz, CEO of RSI. "It's about empowering young individuals with the right knowledge so they can make informed choices."
This program seeks to provide teens with the tools they need to make informed decisions about gaming. It follows lawmakers' announcement to develop the SAFE Bet Act.
The Rise of Online Gambling Among Teens
The landscape of entertainment has expanded significantly, with online gambling becoming more accessible. This trend is particularly relevant to teenagers, who are constantly exposed to digital gaming options.
According to a 2020 survey conducted by the National Center for Responsible Gaming, approximately 60% of high school students reported gambling for money in the past year. Another study by the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems, found that roughly 4-8% of adolescents have a gambling addiction.
Rush Street Interactive is making a commitment to addressing this issue, which marks a positive step towards preventing gambling-related harm among teens.
Which States Allow Teens To Gamble at 18?
A number of states will allow you to play casino games when you turn 18. Some others let you take part in other types of gambling. The World Population Review has a great breakdown on its website.
Some states allow 18-year-olds to play slot machines, mostly in locations that do not serve alcohol or in certain tribal casinos. Examples include:
- Oklahoma: Many tribal casinos allow individuals who are 18 to play slot machines.
- California: Some Native American casinos may permit those who are 18 to gamble.
- Minnesota: Certain tribal casinos may allow 18-year-olds to play slots, although this can vary by casino.
States With Legal Age Set to Under 21
- Georgia: Legal gambling age is 18, with gambling restricted to cruise ships.
- Idaho: Legal gambling age is set at 18.
- Kentucky: Legal gambling age is set at 18.
- Minnesota: Legal gambling age is set at 18.
- Montana: Legal gambling age is set at 18.
- Oklahoma: Legal gambling age is set at 18.
- South Dakota: Legal gambling age is set at 18.
- South Carolina: Legal gambling age is 18, with gambling restricted to cruise ships.
- Washington: Legal gambling age is set at 18.
Rush Street Interactive Moving Youth Gambling Literacy Forward
GLAD is initially being implemented in New Jersey and Delaware. Through a combination of speaker series and educator curriculum delivery, the program aims to shape responsible attitudes toward gambling among students.
The GLAD initiative is currently gathering feedback and defining success metrics to ensure its effectiveness. The ultimate goal is to make the program widely available to educators across North America.
Eric Frank, Co-CEO and President of IC360, emphasized the necessity for gambling literacy among young people. "Our partnership with RSI is about confronting the educational gap that exists," he stated. By providing educators with the resources to engage students in meaningful discussions around gaming, the initiative hopes to foster a responsible approach to gambling.
As online gambling becomes more mainstream, initiatives like GLAD are crucial in equipping young people with the knowledge they need to navigate these new challenges safely and responsibly.
Action Network Provides Gambling Resources
Action Network and Vegas Insider also promote responsible gambling. Action Network provides educational content and tools, such as self-assessment tests and guides on setting betting limits.
Meanwhile, Vegas Insider offers tips on responsible gambling habits and has partnerships with organizations that specialize in gambling addiction support. These resources aim to ensure that individuals, regardless of age, are making informed decisions about their gambling activities.
