How to Prevent Your Child From Gambling Online

By Leslie Davis

You thought you had it under control - you talked to your children about the dangers of gambling, and figured you lived far enough from a casino that the chances of your children sneaking into one and illegally gambling were slim.

But, lately, you’re starting to notice that your children are always online. And it no longer seems like they’re telling you the truth about researching a project for school.

While you may have safeguarded your children against the dangers of real-world gambling, it is likely you didn’t realize the power that Internet gambling has over a segment of the population that is web-savvy and easily targeted - children.

A 2008 study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center estimated that more than 300,000 youth ages 14 to 22 gamble for money at least once a week on the Internet, and more than 700,000 do so at least once a month.

“The continued use of online gambling sites by many young people indicates that they are still risking their financial futures on poker,” Dan Romer, director of the Annenberg Adolescent Risk Communication Institute, said on the center’s website. “This calls for continued efforts to educate young people about the hazards of Internet gambling.”

With many children having 24-hour access to computers in their bedrooms - and a parent’s credit card number at their disposal - you may not even realize how much of a threat online gambling sites can be to your children. Well, it’s time you learned, and take some measures to prevent your child from turning into a compulsive gambler, the 21st Century way.

Investigate Your Children’s Behaviors

Sure, you have your suspicions. But before you outright accuse your children of illegally gambling online, be sure you have your facts straight. There is no better way to do that than to ask them if they are gambling online. Your children may feel so guilty, that they will confess, or they may just be glad they finally got caught.

If your children deny gambling online but you are still suspicious, go onto their computer and check their Internet history. That may seem like a violation of privacy to you, but it’s worth the risk to make sure your children aren’t engaging in illegal activities that could get them in more severe trouble. Also be sure to check your credit card statements, and your children’s if they have them, to see if any mysterious online charges are showing up.

Block Online Gambling Sites

You are well within your right as a parent to block all Internet gambling sites on any computers in your household. Doing this may require you to purchase site blocking software, but this is sure to cost less than any gambling losses your children may acquire through the sites being blocked.

If you fear that your child is engaging in online gambling at somebody else’s house, speak to that person about your concerns and see if they would be willing to block the websites as well. A compulsive gambler won’t stop until they get their fix, so it’s best to block as many points of access as possible.

Remind Your Children That Underage Gambling Is Illegal

All online gambling websites are supposedly accessible only by those of legal gambling age. But studies have shown that minors can get onto those sites just as easily. A 2004 study by Action for Children found that 16-year-olds with credit cards were able to gamble on 30 out of 37 examined gambling websites.

Take some time to talk to your children about the dangers of gambling, and the dangers of engaging in an illegal activity. Remind them that the consequences may be far worse than just losing their weekly allowance money or failing an exam because they neglected their studying to gamble instead.

Restrict Use of Your Credit Card

Only allow your children to use your credit card for purchases that you pre-approve. Do not give them unrestricted access to your account. Doing so can mean more debt for you, and a chance that your credit will be ruined.

If you provide your children with a credit card, provide a low monthly limit that you are able to easily monitor. Be sure you see statements for their credit cards every month so that they can’t hide purchases as easily.

Limit Internet Usage

If online gambling is a concern, one of the best ways to help prevent it is to restrict your children’s use of the Internet. Only allow them to be online during certain hours, and in a room where you can see what websites they are on. Don’t allow them to have computers with Internet access in their rooms, or to be online after they are supposed to be in bed.

Don’t let your children’s knowledge of the Internet intimidate you. Learning about the potential online threats to your children is the best way to make sure they aren’t engaging in any illegal activities online.