Global campaign reminds adults that Lottery games aren’t child’s play
Washington’s Lottery and the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling (ECPG) announced today that they are participating in a national responsible gambling campaign to raise awareness about the risks of underage lottery play during the holiday season. Both organizations will promote the importance of responsible gaming through various communications channels, joining others in the industry.
The campaign, now its eleventh year, is led by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and internationally by the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University in Canada. For the first time in the campaign’s history, 100 percent of U.S. and Canadian Lottery organizations have signed on to participate.
Abundant research has shown that the younger a person is when they start gambling, the more likely they are to develop gambling problems as adults. Studies also show that lottery products, especially Scratch games, often serve as an introduction to gambling activities for youth.
“We encourage everyone to keep the fun in the holidays and give responsibly this season,” said Maureen Greeley, Executive Director of the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling. “Washington’s Lottery has many fun and entertaining games, but they aren’t child’s play. Those who are underage aren’t likely to understand the potential risks of gambling. ECPG applauds the Lottery for helping adults give the children in their lives the gift of learning to make healthy choices during the holidays and all year long.”
“We’re standing in partnership with the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling to support this important campaign and work to ensure that lottery participation is fun and safe for our players,” said Marcus Glasper, Director of Washington’s Lottery. “We recognize the importance of sharing our games with adults who can make informed choices about products they purchase and the potential risks of Lottery gaming.”
For more information about problem gambling in Washington, visit www.evergreencpg.org.
The Holiday Lottery Responsible Gaming Campaign is endorsed by the World Lottery Association, North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) and the European Lottery Association (EL), highlighting the global reach of the campaign.
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EVERGREEN COUNCIL ON PROBLEM GAMBLING (ECPG):
ECPG provides treatment, training and awareness programs to address problem gambling in Washington State. We operate a toll free, 24/7 helpline: 1-800-547-6133. To find treatment providers in your area, for more information, or to learn more about our youth prevention projects, visit www.evergreencpg.org. ECPG is dedicated to increasing awareness of public health issues around problem gambling and gaming, expanding the availability and integration of services, and supporting advocacy, research, and programs for education, prevention, treatment, recovery, and responsible gambling and gaming.
WASHINGTON’S LOTTERY: Since 1982, Washington’s Lottery has generated more than $3 billion to support important state programs including the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account. Money in the Pathways Account goes toward helping students achieve their higher education dreams and supports early childhood education learning programs. The state’s Lottery offers consumers several types of games: Mega Millions, Powerball, Lotto, Hit 5, Match 4, Daily Game, Daily Keno and Scratch. For more information, visit www.walottery.com or join our online community on Facebook at www.facebook.com/walottery and follow us on Twitter @walottery and Instagram @walottery.
Press Contact
Kiley Foland (Curator on behalf of Washington’s Lottery)
E-mail: Kiley.foland@curatorpr.com