From Fortnite to sports bets, Pa. kids might be gambling unknowingly
Pennsylvania officials are concerned about a rise in underage gambling through video games, prediction markets, and apps, often without parents' or teens' awareness.Summary
Pennsylvania officials are increasingly concerned about the prevalence of underage gambling, fueled by the expansion of sports and online betting, and the ease with which teens can access gambling-like activities. Teens are engaging in gambling through various avenues, including video games like Fortnite and Roblox, prediction markets like Kalshi, and third-party apps, sometimes using family members’ accounts. A key challenge is that many teens – and their parents – don’t even recognize these activities *as* gambling, particularly when involving in-game items with resale value. Gillian Russell, a criminal justice professor at Penn State Abington, highlights the difficulty in collecting data on this issue due to underreporting and a lack of awareness. The article details how seemingly harmless activities, like trading cosmetic items in games or betting on everyday events, can quickly escalate into real-world financial risks. Russell emphasizes the need for increased awareness among parents and the importance of recognizing the signs of compulsive gaming, focusing on changes in behavior and financial habits rather than simply the activity itself.
(Source：Erie Times-news)