By: Richard L. Smith
As the holiday season approaches, the New Jersey Lottery (NJL) has joined forces with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc. (CCGNJ) to underscore an important message: lottery tickets are not suitable gifts for minors.
The collaboration aims to raise awareness and reinforce the commitment to preventing underage gambling throughout the year.
"Lottery tickets are popular gift choices to slip into a card or include as a stocking stuffer during the holiday season, but we caution parents and other adults against gifting lottery tickets to children," emphasized NJL Executive Director James A. Carey, Jr.
"New Jersey law requires lottery purchasers to be 18 years of age or older. While the law does not prohibit adults from giving tickets to minors, research suggests that this is not a good idea."
To drive home this critical message, the NJ Lottery and CCGNJ have teamed up to create a video urging residents to exercise prudence when selecting holiday gifts for children.
The video, accessible on the "Responsible Play" page of the Lottery's website and the CCGNJ's website, elucidates the potential risks of involving minors in lottery play and other forms of gambling before they are old enough to comprehend the associated dangers.
In addition to the video, the Lottery has crafted a holiday advertising campaign with a clear message: "Tis the season to gift responsibly. Lottery is not child's play. The New Jersey Lottery is a provider of fun and entertaining games that are not intended for anyone under the age of 18. Parents are urged to think twice before giving lottery tickets to children."
According to Felicia Grondin, the executive director of the CCGNJ, "The Lottery is a valuable partner with the Council on Compulsive Gambling in efforts to remind residents that lottery tickets are not an appropriate gift for minors.
The Council urges parents to use sound judgment in making holiday gift selections for their children. Adult problem gamblers frequently report beginning gambling during childhood, often at ages 9-10. So, this holiday season, if you choose to give a lottery ticket as a gift, be sure to consider the recipient's age. There is a reason why New Jersey has established minimum ages for gambling activities."
This joint initiative between the NJ Lottery and CCGNJ serves as a poignant reminder of the responsibility that comes with gift-giving during the holiday season and the importance of safeguarding children from potentially harmful influences.