The Delaware Lottery has announced that it will take part as a Level 2 participant in the 2023 Gift Responsibly Campaign, aiming to educate adults about the risks of gifting lottery products to children during the holidays.
The campaign has been running for six years and is organized by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the International Center for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at Montreal’s McGill University.
Helene Keeley, Director of the Delaware Lottery, commented, “In addition to being illegal, purchasing Delaware Lottery Draw Games, Instant Games and Sports Pick for minors may increase their likeliness for future gambling problems.
“The Gift Responsibly campaign is a great opportunity for us to help educate audiences about the dangers associated with underage gambling.”
Being a Level 2 participant in the campaign will involve the Delaware Lottery making both social media posts and training its retail lottery product sellers throughout the month of December, to promote awareness about the potential risks of minors playing lottery games.
Research undertaken by the NCPG shows that lottery tickets and scratch-off cards are often a child’s first experience gambling, given by an adult who is not educated on the risks of early exposure.
Keith Whyte, Executive Director of the NCPG, said, “The potential long-term risks associated with underage gambling exposure cannot be understated.
“I commend each Gift Responsibly Campaign participant for their commitment to raising awareness about the risks of youth gambling. Now, more than ever, we must continue to insist that lottery tickets are never appropriate gifts for children.”
As part of its regular operations, the Delaware Lottery will also continue to promote responsible gambling at legal age by placing the Play Responsibly message and helpline number on all advertisements for its games, as well as in promotions, on video lottery terminals and at retail locations.
