Fed: Young gamblers under spotlight

AAP General News (Australia)
04-04-2004
Fed: Young gamblers under spotlight

CANBERRA, April 4 AAP - Youth gambling will be targeted in a new bid to stop people
becoming betting addicts in later life, the government said today.

Federal Families Minister Kay Patterson today announced $175,000 to research problem
youth gambling, saying early gamblers were at increased risk of becoming addicted to punting.

"We know that early exposure to gambling places young people at higher risk of long-term
problem gambling," Senator Patterson said.

"However, we are unclear about the best ways to intervene in or prevent this behaviour
in young adults."

The research will look at how to reduce early gambling, how to prevent long-term habits
and examine the impact of internet and mobile phones on the gambling habits of young people.

New technology brought with it new ways to gamble and sports bars and gambling-related
events were increasingly being targeted at young people, she said.

An estimated 83,000 people under the age of 25 were problem gamblers, out of 330,000
across all age groups.

Studies have shown problem gamblers contribute about a third of all gambling spending,
losing an average $12,000 a year compared with just under $650 for other gamblers.

"These concerning figures make it even more important to be able to track the effect
of traditional and new forms of gambling on young people," Senator Patterson said.

Federal, state and territory governments are working on a national framework on problem gambling.

AAP pjo/cat

KEYWORD: GAMBLING

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