This feature is for America’s youth, teenagers who are growing up in an unprecedented era where sports betting is a normalized activity, even though it was illegal just a few short years ago. It’s not dissimilar to what your Jitterbug dancing great-grandparents experienced soon after Prohibition was lifted in 1933. But here we are nearly a century later, with smartphones placing gambling in your hands like a flask. While not permitted to participate in online casino gaming and sports betting until you reach the appropriate age (generally 21 and up), youth find a way to subvert the rules. And the more you’re told not to do something, the more you feel drawn to it to exert autonomy from the powers-that-be. The other platitude is there – your friends are doing it – which can make you feel like an outcast for not getting involved. And yet, you have a nagging suspicion that you may be getting in over your head. This feeling has prompted you to ask your favorite chatbot to deliver “gambling addiction questions” that will help you figure out where you stand.
Below is a list of non-judgemental questions, put together specifically for teens who are concerned about their gambling behavior. Please take your time and answer them genuinely.
20 Questions to Help America’s Teens Better Understand Their Gambling Behavior
Record the number of times you indicate “YES” and add them up once of you’ve answered all 20 questions.
Do Your Friends Often Gamble?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
Do Your Friends Pressure You to Gamble?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
Do You Gamble at School?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
Have You Ever Skipped Class to Gamble?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
Is Gambling More Important to You Than School Work?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
Is Gambling More Important to You Than Other Activities You Used to Enjoy?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
Is Gambling the Most Exciting Activity That You Do?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
Have You Gambled with Money Meant for Other Things (lunch, snacks, age-appropriate entertainment)?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
Have You Ever Sold a Possession to Get Money for Gambling?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
When Gambling, Do You Lose Track of Time?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
When Gambling, Do You Forget About Other Responsibilities (homework, chores, etc)?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
Do You Often Daydream About Gambling?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
Do You Like the Attention You Get from Friends When You Win in Gambling?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
When You Win, Do You Want to Keep Gambling to Keep the “Streak” Going?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
When You Lose, Do You Want to Keep Gambling to Win Back Your Losses?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
Do You Hide that You Gamble from Family?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
Have You Been in an Argument with Your Parents About Your Gambling?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
Do You Hide that You Gamble from Friends Who Don’t Gamble?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
Do You Gamble to Escape Bad Feelings?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
Do One or More of Your Parents Gamble Often?
YES [ ] NO [ ]
If you answered YES to 4 or more questions, there is a strong possibility that you may have an unhealthy relationship with gambling. We encourage you to approach a parent, trusted adult family member, or school counselor to talk about it. Together you can connect to a resource specializing in family counseling for problem gambling.
