Kids and gambling should never mix. We all know that’s true. But at the same time, it can be difficult to know how to practically try to make sure kids stay away from gambling.
We’re going to give you a few straightforward tips that you can use in your life. Nothing difficult to follow. Just things you can keep in mind to give you a little more peace of mind when it comes to kids and gambling.
1. Familiarize yourself with age limits in your jurisdiction
Depending on where you live, the minimum age limit for gambling can vary. In some places it’s as low as 18 years of age, meanwhile other places it can be 21 years of age. So at the start of your journey to discourage kids and gambling, know the correct age limit you’re dealing with.
2. Keep your passwords to yourself
We’ve all been there before. Your teen wants to use your phone for something or other. So you just shout out your passcode so they can type it in. And that’s fine. But if you also have online gambling accounts that you’re logged in to on your device, or if you use the same passcode or password for those accounts, you’ve just given them access to your online gambling accounts.
So remove the temptation straight away by not giving your child access to passwords they can use to access gambling accounts. And also remember to log out every time you use your online gambling accounts too.
3. Make use of parental controls
Parental controls are an extremely easy thing that you can use on any device your child uses. Whether that’s their own smartphone, yours, tables, laptops or smart TVs, they can all be a little more secure when a parental control is put in place.
It’s usually fairly self-explanatory in settings, but if you can’t find out how to do it yourself, a quick Google should clear things up.
4. Get external software for extra security
If you feel like you need an extra layer of security, you can get external software to keep kids and gambling separated. NetNanny covers a wide range of different not-safe-for-children areas. Meanwhile GamBlock is specifically for gambling.
5. Report minors using your account (or creating their own)
If you suspect a minor is using your account or that they have created their own, report it immediately to the online gambling site. They are compelled to shut down and suspend all activity on accounts they think are used by underage players. Winnings will be forfeited and they’ll be banned.
Because of age verification software, this should not be happening too frequently. But there’s always a chance, so definitely report it if you are suspicious.
6. Know when to talk about kids and gambling
Talking to kids about gambling is also really important. It might feel like it’s the last thing you should do, but talking to them in a straightforward way about it will mean they’ll get the facts from a trustworthy source. Tell them that gambling doesn’t make sports more exciting. Tell them that gambling is designed so that people lose more than they earn, therefore, it’s not a smart way to make money. And tell them that it’s possible to get addicted to gambling.
More responsible gambling articles
At Betting Darts, we take responsible gambling seriously. That’s why we have a range of articles to help inform you about the world of responsible gambling. Here are some you might be interested in: