The Tribune

AS Gambling Addiction Awareness Month begins, officials are increasing efforts to address gambling and substance abuse among high school students.

Paulette Dean, chairperson of the gambling addiction awareness programme, warned that minors are engaging in risky behaviours, including drinking and gambling.

“Young people are throwing dice. A lot of them are drinking,” she said. “Statistics show that about 60 percent of those who use alcohol also gamble. Even if it’s not happening in school, students of school age are involved. That’s the bulk of the problem — alcohol, marijuana, and gambling.”

She added that many students also become addicted to video gaming, compounding their struggles with other substances and gambling.

To counter these trends, officials plan to visit schools across the country, starting as early as junior high, given that many students have already begun using alcohol and other substances by the time they reach senior high school.

A previous outreach campaign in Eleuthera, Abaco, and Exuma revealed that gambling is a common pastime in those islands. This year, officials plan to expand their efforts to Grand Bahama and Long Island.

Meanwhile, Island Luck has donated $30,000 to Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre to support gambling addiction treatment.

“For 99 percent of our customers, gambling is a form of entertainment they enjoy within their limits,” said Island Luck Cares representative Kenny Mackey. “But there are some who don’t know their limits. For us, it’s important to invest in the community and build a safety net to support them.”

Officials previously reported a rise in gambling disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic, with women being most affected. Studies have also shown that half of those with a gambling disorder struggle with another condition.