Holiday Lottery Campaign Reminds Adults Lottery Tickets Aren’t Child’s Play

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Lottery has joined with 100% of all U.S. and Canadian Lotteries in participating in the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University’s 2020 Responsible Gambling Holiday Lottery Campaign.

Research shows that early childhood gambling experiences, including those with lottery products, can be a risk factor for gambling problems later in life.

This research prompted the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University to join forces in launching the Responsible Gambling Holiday Lottery Campaign. Since 2002, the simple goal of the Campaign is to raise awareness about the risks of underage lottery play during the winter holiday season.

In 2020, 100% of United States and Canadian lotteries, along with numerous international lotteries and non-lottery organizations, have joined the Campaign to promote responsible gambling.

“The Responsible Gambling Holiday Lottery Campaign educates communities that lottery tickets, the form of gambling with the broadest participation, are not child’s play,” explained NCPG Executive Director Keith Whyte.

Jeffrey Derevensky, Director of the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors, said, “the Responsible Gambling Holiday Lottery Campaign is a great way to encourage responsible gambling by gifting lottery tickets responsibly only to adults.”

Endorsements from the World Lottery Association, North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL), and the European Lottery Association (EL), highlight the global reach of the campaign.

The 2020 Responsible Gambling Holiday Lottery Campaign participants include:

Lottery Level 3:
U.S.
CT Lottery Corporation, D.C. Lottery, Hoosier Lottery, Illinois Lottery, Mississippi Lottery Corporation, New York Lottery, Ohio Lottery Commission, Oregon State Lottery, Virginia Lottery

Canada
Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Commission (AGLC), British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC)

 

Lottery Level 2:
U.S.
Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, Colorado Lottery, Florida Lottery, Georgia Lottery Corporation, Iowa Lottery Authority, Kentucky Lottery Corporation, Massachusetts State Lottery, Minnesota Lottery, Missouri Lottery, North Carolina Education Lottery, Pennsylvania Lottery, Rhode Island Lottery, South Dakota Lottery, Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation, Texas Lottery Commission

International
Hrvatska Lutrija – Croatian Lottery (Croatia) Lotto NZ (New Zealand), Österreichische Lotterien GmbH – Austrian Lotteries Gesellschaft (Austria)

 

Lottery Level 1:
U.S.
Arizona Lottery, California State Lottery, Delaware Lottery, Idaho Lottery, Kansas Lottery, Louisiana Lottery Corporation, Maine Lottery, Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, Michigan Bureau of State Lottery, Montana Lottery, Nebraska Lottery, New Jersey Lottery, New Hampshire Lottery, New Mexico Lottery, Oklahoma Lottery, South Carolina Education Lottery, Vermont Lottery, Washington’s Lottery, West Virginia Lottery, Wisconsin Lottery, Wyoming Lottery Corporation

Canada
Atlantic Lottery, Loto-Québec, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation, Ontario Lottery and Gaming, Saskatchewan Lotteries

International
Sazka Group Lottery (Europe)

 

Non-Lottery Participants

U.S.
AdCare Educational Institute of Maine, Inc., Armstrong Indiana Clarion Drug & Alcohol Commission, Association of Problem Gambling Service Administrators (CA), Big Village (OR), Crawford County Drug & Alcohol Executive Commission – CCDAEC (PA), Council on Chemical Abuse (PA), Employee & Family Resources (IA), Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems (PA), Illinois Council on Problem Gambling, Indiana Council on Problem Gambling, Jackpocket (NY), Maine Council on Problem Gambling, Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling, Maryland Council on Problem Gambling, Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health, Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling, Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance (MN), Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addictions, Oklahoma Association on Problem and Compulsive Gambling, Problem Gambling Services (Rhode Island), Rhode Island Council on Problem Gambling, Scientific Games (NV), South Suburban Council (IL), Substance Abuse Services Center (MA), Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities – TASC, Umatilla County Public Health (OR)

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About the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors

For over 25 years, the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University has been at the forefront of leading-edge research aimed at identifying and understanding the critical factors related to youth gambling issues. The Centre has developed numerous award-winning prevention programs and provides consultations to government agencies around the world to develop responsible gambling initiatives.

About the National Council on Problem Gambling

NCPG is the national advocate for problem gamblers and their families. NCPG is neutral on legalized gambling and works with all stakeholders to promote responsible gambling. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network at 1-800-522-4700 or visit www.ncpgambling.org/chat for confidential help 24/7/365.