As the festive season approaches, the Gift Responsibly Campaign enters its sixth consecutive year, issuing a clarion call to adults worldwide: refrain from gifting lottery tickets to children. This 2023 initiative aligns with the growing recognition of gambling’s impact on youth, and it leverages the influence of 66 lotteries and 84 community organizations across the globe. High-profile supporters include prominent entities like the New Jersey Lottery, Colorado Lottery, and Pennsylvania Lottery in the United States, as well as international counterparts such as Lotto New Zealand and the National Lottery of Croatia.
This significant undertaking launches a host of coordinated efforts in November and December, focusing on community education surrounding the risks of early gambling exposure. Children who receive lottery tickets as gifts may be unknowingly set on a path toward gambling problems later in life—a potential trajectory this campaign aims to interrupt.
Encouraging responsible gambling among those of legal age remains a central tenet of the Gift Responsibly movement. Educational outreach is executed through a variety of channels: public service announcements take to the airwaves, thoughtfully crafted social media messages navigate digital landscapes, and eye-catching in-store signage captures attention at the point of sale. Retailer training ensures those on the frontlines are equipped to propagate the campaign’s vital message.
The tiered participation model ensures that organizations at various levels of commitment can engage meaningfully with the initiative. This flexibility empowers a broad spectrum of involvement, underscoring the campaign’s inclusive and adaptable nature.
Keith Whyte, the executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), commends the unprecedented support the campaign has garnered. Whyte emphasized the unsuitability of lottery tickets as presents for minors, heralding the Gift Responsibly campaign as “one of the largest international responsible gambling awareness campaigns.” This global endeavor brings together stakeholders in a united front to protect youth and champion responsible gambling practices around the world.
Adding his voice to the chorus, Jeffrey Derevensky, the director of the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviours, highlighted the increasing normalization and availability of gambling opportunities internationally. He notes the particular vulnerability of youth to gambling-related issues, casting the Gift Responsibly campaign as a poignant seasonal reminder that adults must take care not to facilitate underage gambling by gifting lottery tickets to minors.
As this initiative gains momentum, it becomes a beacon for responsible gift-giving during the holidays. Through its widespread advocacy, the Gift Responsibly campaign aims to illuminate the long-term impacts of seemingly harmless actions, transforming perceptions and behaviors alike. By aligning with a vision of a safer future for children free from the shadow of potential gambling problems, supporters and participants of the campaign work towards a holiday spirit that upholds the well-being of future generations.
Through a tapestry of concerted efforts, the Gift Responsibly Campaign stands as an emblem of change. It calls on adults to exercise care and consideration, fostering an environment where the thrill of a scratch-off or a lottery draw does not become a child’s introduction to gambling. As the New Year inches closer, it serves as a poignant moment for reflection on the gifts we choose to share—and the messages they carry with them into the lives of our youth.
