This season, the Virginia Lottery and the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VCRG) have joined forces to emphasize the importance of responsible gifting among adults.
What does that mean?
The groups stated in a recent advisory that gifting lottery tickets to individuals under the age of 18 is never suitable, and it is also prohibited by state law.
The “Bad Gift Ideas” campaign is utilized by the lottery and VCRG through public service announcements to effectively convey their message to Virginia casino and lottery patrons.
Furthermore, the VA Lottery has developed a microsite called “Play Responsibly” which aims to promote responsible gambling. Within this microsite, Virginians will come across a dedicated section focused on the message of gifting responsibly. Kelly Gee, the Executive Director of the Virginia Lottery, provides an explanation for this initiative.
“At the Virginia Lottery, we are committed to promoting our products with utmost responsibility and ethics. It is crucial to take into account the recipient’s age when gifting lottery tickets.”
National group also backs ‘gift responsibly’ message
According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, a total of 63 lottery organizations have joined in promoting the responsible gifting message. Keith Whyte, the Director of NCPG, has emphasized that youth problem gambling is rapidly becoming a substantial public health concern.
As we strive to minimize the negative impacts of gambling, we are extremely delighted to receive immense support from both the lottery community and non-lottery participants for the 2022 Gift Responsibly Campaign.
For 15 years, the Virginia Lottery has actively participated in the nationwide public-awareness initiative.
Carolyn Hawley, President of VCPG, emphasized that the younger individuals start gambling, the higher the chances of encountering gambling issues in the future. She urged everyone to bear in mind, especially during this season of generosity, that lottery tickets are strictly meant for adults and should not be treated as toys.
In collaboration with the VCPG, the Lottery partners with the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to promote awareness about problem gambling and gambling addiction, as well as to educate the public about the available resources in Virginia.
If you or someone you are acquainted with has any concerns regarding gambling, kindly dial the 24/7 helpline at 1-888-532-3500. The call is both toll-free and confidential.
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