The under-the-radar 'epidemic' of underage gambling
Parents facilitate underage gambling on regulated apps despite strict ID rules, as teens bet widely at school and home.Summary
The article reveals a growing "epidemic" of underage gambling in Ontario and Alberta, where parents are bypassing age verification on government-regulated betting apps by setting up accounts for their teenagers. Despite strict ID requirements, interviews with parents and experts indicate widespread usage among high school students, with 12% of surveyed Ontario students admitting to online betting. Teens gamble socially at school and home, sometimes losing thousands of dollars. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario fined an operator for failing to prevent underage accounts, while police favor education over prosecution. Experts warn that adolescent brains are highly susceptible to addiction, and parental supervision is difficult given the concealability of smartphone gambling. Some parents compare it to supervised drinking, but researchers caution against normalizing the behavior. Unregulated sites also pose risks, including violence over debts.
(Source：Hannaherald)