According to the latest statistics, the number of children and teenagers playing casino games online has been growing over the last few years. This is despite the fact that underage gambling is forbidden in most countries. Some governments allow lotteries and casino games for people over 16, but mainly the starting point is 18.
Although parents must take it upon themselves to prevent their children from gambling, casino websites need to create conditions to protect minors from accessing their games. Unfortunately, some gambling websites don’t check the documents of players. However, there are some platforms that adhere to responsible business practices, for example House of Pokies Casino.
To help you shield your kids from inappropriate content, we have gathered the simplest practices that everyone can use.
What Games Can Be Called Gambling for Children?
The meaning of “gambling” for children is the same as for adults. Usually, it refers to a risky action, where a monetary-related bet can bring profitable results. In other words, if little money (or another valuable thing) can bring more — that’s one of the gambling sorts.
Let’s review poker as an example. Every player receives two random cards and has to assemble the best combination with another five on the table. This quintet appears on the table in three steps: three cards in a row, then the fourth, and the closing fifth. As the final combination consists of five cards (both on the hands and table), every new figure can change the disposition and winning chances. The ability to bluff at every turn makes poker a game of skill, but none influences the cards that appear on the table. So, poker players think they can outsmart opponents, but the “randomizer” is the true king there.
As parents play a vital role in the upbringing process, we must explain the positive and negative sides of gambling to our offspring. Here are four simple ways that help to keep children from addictive online gambling.
Talking About Gambling With Kids
Talking is the simplest and most effective way of communication between people. Yet, the spread of gadgets and social media has led to less effective live talks, especially between parents and children. Every kid now prefers googling instead of asking mom or dad. But even the smartest algorithms and neural networks aren’t capable of finding the most suitable answer for a particular person. Parents know their children better and can explain new things, providing the most precise examples.
Speaking is especially vital concerning delicate topics like responsible gambling. While gambling can be an interesting activity for your teens, it is important to talk about its drawbacks as well. For example, when you see gambling advertising on TV or other media, emphasize the need to become an adult to play legally (in most countries, gambling ads must include the warning that only people must reach a certain age to gamble). Explain to them that the biggest problem hides in their emotional state. Children are more inclined to be affected by the possibility of grabbing an attractive reward. It weakens their self-control, while adults resist such risks better.
Moreover, many youngsters don’t understand the value of money or goods they have. It allows them to risk assets with fewer or no concerns about the outcomes of the loss and its actual cost. That is why addiction is more dangerous among children.
As parents, try to bring mild examples like “you could buy this toy or sweets instead of losing money on empty loot boxes.” Explain to children how much time you spend on work to earn money. The older the kids, the more challenging and complex the explanations and examples should be.
Use Special Software to Block Online Gambling Websites
If a youngster has enough freedom and opportunities to visit an online casino or bookmaker, you can block those sites. Using specific software, you receive more information about kids’ activity and the ability to control it. You can use the governmentally recommended sites, like:
Gamban.com
This website blocks access to thousands of casino websites. It is installed quickly and easily and is available across iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. Furthermore, Gamban.com offers live technical support.
Gamblock.com
This website is also aimed at providing a full block of casino websites to protect players from unrestricted gambling. Gamblock.com is supported by various operating systems, and it offers different price plans depending on the devices, their number, and block duration. Most plans provide gambling sites blocking for a period from 12 to 60 months.
Betblocker.org
BetBlocker is a free tool to control gambling. It allows you to be blocked from over 15,000 gambling sites for a period decided by you. What is more, BetBlocker includes a Parental Controls setting. With its help, you can switch the tool on and off using a password. By doing this you can protect your children from access to gambling sites.
All these sites offer to download specific software that allows internet activity control. You can use the recommended list of sites to exclude online casinos for visiting or add such domains manually. Please note that some of these services aren’t free but widely recommended by independent experts.
Explain the Rules of the Game and Try to Play Together
Children often find gambling activities fun and joyful. So, it’s better to direct intrinsic curiosity in the needed way than restrict it.
For example, you can try to play a simple poker game with your kid. Teach them the rules and play for candy (or even coins if you’d like). You’ll see that as soon as the child’s initial interest and thrill subside, they will not be as eager to play. Children have curious natures, and once you’ve satisfied that curiosity, they move on to something else.
Become a Role Model
This advice can be at the top of the list. Being the right role model is the toughest task, but it is the most effective solution. And it is not just about gambling.
Be a person with moral standards and unwavering principles. Use reason and logic when providing arguments on a certain matter to your kid. Be the person they want to be like, so when they are faced with a decision, they will think “What would my father/mother do?”.
Final Thought
Like many psychological problems, gambling addiction takes roots from childhood. Parents must form the right attitude to money and games of chance in their children’s minds. We should also explain the basics of risk evaluation and ads manipulations. You have to talk about it with your kids, be the right role model, and use technical instruments if needed. A few minutes spent today will avoid tons of problems in the future.