Is your kid doing it? NJ parents warned about teen gambling
Half of middle and high school students in New Jersey gamble. Council on Compulsive Gambling of New York says it's concerning because it can lead to destructive behavior.
Grondin points out that gambling is more socially acceptable than it was before. Teen gambling rates are 2 to 4 times higher than adults.
Parents should keep an eye on their children who are gambling. It can be harder to spot a gambling addiction in a younger person.
Grondin warns parents about the signs of a gambling problem in their children. She says they may also be thinking about suicide. They may develop a "cross addiction" with alcohol or drugs.
There are no statistics on how many underage teenagers are illegally placing bets in New Jersey. Council on Compulsive Gambling of New NJ is neutral on gambling. Its purpose is to help those with gambling problems and to get the word out to prevent people from developing a gambling problem.
Is your kid gambling? You can contact reporter David Matthau at David.Matthau@townsquaremedia.com.