After passing in the House of Delegates in February, House Bill 1108 has now been approved by the full Virginia Senate.
The measure requires schools in the state to educate children about the dangers of gambling. The measure was introduced by Delegate Sam Rasoul, and it now heads to Governor Glenn Youngkin for consideration.
According to Rasoul, he created the measure after he was approached by parents who told stories of their children struggling with gambling addiction. The Delegate pointed out that now online gambling is legalized, its much easier for addiction to occur.
The measure requires the State Board of Education to provide the public schools of Virginia with instruction on gambling as well as the potential for addiction. These lessons should occur alongside ones covering alcohol and drug use.
The goal of the measure is to help children become aware of potential addiction and to be mindful of the problem. The National Center for Responsible Gaming reports that around 7% of young people have a form of gambling addiction. This is much higher than the 1% of adults. The group reports that around 14% of young people are at risk of developing an addiction to gambling.
As online gambling becomes more prevalent, this percentage is expected to grow. Education is needed to ensure that children understand the consequences of their actions when partaking in gambling as an adult and that the activity needs to only be enjoyed as entertainment. Knowing more about the signs of addiction will alert individuals on when to recognize that help is needed.
Gamble at 18 in Virginia
In Virginia, the legal gambling age is 18. This is much lower than most states, where players must be 21 to participate. With online gambling in the mix, young people can avoid age checks and try to access services at a much younger age.
Lottery tickets can be purchased online along with sports betting services. Even fantasy apps are offered, and these options can easily generate an addiction is not handled correctly. Sports betting was legalized in the state back in early 2021 and data shows over $3.7 billion has been wagered in that time frame.
With the education programs, children can learn more about the dangers of gambling and be able to take part responsibly when they come of age.
Another bill was introduced by Senator Tommy Norment that will stop advertisements from using the phrase ‘Virginia is for Bettors’. Anyone who uses this phrase would be fined $50,000. The legislation was able to pass within the House this month and now moves on for additional consideration.
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