Gift Responsibly Campaign Raises Awareness of Youth Gambling Risks
Washington, D.C.—The DC Lottery has announced its participation in the 2024 Gift Responsibly Campaign, joining lotteries and community organizations across North America and worldwide to raise awareness about the risks of underage lottery use.
“The DC Lottery recognizes the potential long-term risks associated with underage gambling exposure,” said Interim Director Eugene Vlasenko. “In the District of Columbia, players must be at least 18 years old to purchase and play lottery games. The Gift Responsibly campaign allows us to amplify messaging that lottery tickets are never appropriate gifts for children.”
During this winter holiday season, the DC Lottery will promote awareness about the risks of underage lottery use to players, retailers, and the public via the Lottery website, social media channels, and public service announcements on local radio stations.
Research shows that the earlier a person’s participation or exposure to gambling is in childhood, the more likely they are to develop a gambling problem later in life. Gambling exposure during childhood is often through some kind of lottery product, such as lottery tickets or scratchers. Usually, these items are given to a child by an adult unaware of the associated risks.
The DC Lottery is committed to growing gaming in the District in a responsible manner. As part of the ongoing Responsible Gaming initiative, the DC Lottery routinely engages in player education activities, regulatory enforcement to ensure licensees comply with the laws and regulations covering responsible gambling, and conducts retailer and staff play responsibly trainings. The DC Lottery always encourages the public to play responsibly and offers a self-exclusion program for those in need.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline, which offers help without stigma or shame. Call or text 1-800-426-2537 or visit www.1800gamblerchat.org. Help is available 24/7, and it is free and confidential.
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Since its inception in 1982, the DC Lottery has awarded more than $4.6 billion in prizes, transferred more than $2.3 billion to the District’s General Fund, which supports essential services in the District, and has helped local nonprofits raise more than $137.3 million in support of social causes. To learn more, visit dclottery.com.