KIDS DON’T GAMBLE: WANNA BET?

​

 

          Kids Don’t Gamble: Wanna Bet? (Wanna Bet) is an evidence-based curriculum that discourages underage gambling and improves critical thinking and problem solving skills in male and female students in grades 3 - 8. Youth problem gambling is a growing public health concern. Youth are being exposed to gambling at increasingly earlier ages and in larger percentages. The vast majority of high school students, between 60 % – 80% have gambled for money in the past year. Between 4% to 5% of youth, 12 to 17 years of age meet at least one criterion for having a gambling addiction. Additionally, between 10% and 14% are at risk for developing a gambling addiction. Although the prevalence of this issue is on the rise, many youth and their parents do not see it as a problem.

 

          The following signs can indicate the development of a growing gambling problem:

 

• a consuming interest in gambling and gambling-related activities

 

• problems in school, such as a loss of interest or unexplained absences

 

• changes in personality or demeanor; signs of anxiety and stress

 

• changes in relationships, changes in mood, explosive expression of anger

       Each workshop in the Wanna Bet series consists of four (4) 50-minute modules which:

 

• Explore age-appropriate, real-world issues associated with games of chance within the context of math activities to teach consumer finance, as well as language, science, health and social studies

 

• Use a decision making model to promote health

 

• Utilize a puppet show/play, The Luckiest Grandma, to teach youth how a gambling addiction can impact family life

 

• Role-play

​

PBWHA partners with schools and community-based organizations to host workshops at their sites.  Please contact us if you have questions or an interest in hosting a workshop.