Scratch-Off Lottery Tickets as Gifts for Children: A Risky Proposition?
A recent survey commissioned by the National Gaming Authority (ANJ) reveals a concerning trend: a significant portion of French adults are considering giving scratch-off lottery tickets to children as gifts, despite widespread awareness of the potential dangers.
Key Findings:
- Acceptance vs. Awareness: While over half of French adults deem it unacceptable to gift scratch-off tickets to children, a quarter are open to the idea.
- Perceived Danger: An overwhelming 93% of respondents recognize the practice as “very dangerous” for children.
- Early Exposure, Higher Risk: Experts warn that early exposure to gambling increases the risk of addiction.
The survey, conducted by Toluna – Harris Interactive, polled a representative sample of 2,073 French adults aged 18 and over. It explored their gift-giving intentions for children and their perceptions of scratch-off lottery tickets.
A Gift Already Given?
The survey data indicates a disconnect between awareness and action. While 54% find the idea of gifting scratch-offs to children inconceivable, a substantial number have already done so. Those who have given these gifts tend to view them as fun, suitable for children, and offering a chance to win pocket money. However, the survey also revealed criticism regarding the appropriateness of such gifts for children.
Notably, parents are the most frequent givers of scratch-off tickets to their own children, followed by gifts within siblings, to nieces/nephews, grandchildren, or children of friends. This practice doesn’t appear to be limited to a specific social class.
This year, 14% of parents say they will give scratch-off tickets to their children. Despite this, 77% of those who have offered them are aware that they are prohibited from being sold to minors. Gambling is ranked as the third most dangerous activity for children by 94% of French people, ahead of social networks and screens. Drugs (98%) and alcohol (94%) are ranked first and second.
ANJ’s Warning: Don’t Normalize Gambling
The ANJ is urging parents to reconsider gifting scratch-off tickets to children, emphasizing the potential for addiction. According to 93% of participants, playing games of chance is a “very dangerous” practice and that children who entertain themselves in this way risk developing an addiction. This perception of danger also exists among those who offer them (87%).
“The earlier the gambling starts, the greater the risk of addiction. With this survey, the ANJ wants to remind parents that gambling is not trivial, and that this activity should not be trivialized. If they had to remember only one thing, it is that gambling is not child’s play!”
Isabelle Falque-Pierrotin, president of the ANJ, stressed the importance of not normalizing gambling for children, highlighting the increased risk of addiction associated with early exposure.
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