The holiday season is in full swing. Arkansas shoppers are buying big bunches of Lottery tickets to stuff in stockings. Today, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery issued a reminder to parents and other adults that these tickets are colorful, entertaining and affordable, but not appropriate holiday gifts for children and teens under the age of 18.
“Parents and caregivers, uncles and aunts, grandparents and friends see the Lottery as fun and entertaining. They may forget that these tickets are for adults. The Arkansas Lottery Commission will continue to partner with our retailers and the Arkansas Department of Human Services to promote a clear message: Lottery tickets are not child’s play,” said Lottery Director Bishop Woosley. “The vast majority of Arkansas Lottery players are responsible—they are adults who play for fun, spending only discretionary cash. Our Legislators knew what they were doing when they set the legal age for lottery play at 18. It’s a great idea to give tickets to friends and family,” he said, “but please, never to children.”
Several tips were offered to minimize risks associated with youth gambling:
•Don’t involve your underage children in your Lottery activities
•Give youngsters age-appropriate gifts
•When you give Lottery tickets as presents, be sure to keep the person’s age in mind
If you or someone you know may be affected by a gambling problem, additional information is available by calling the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
For more information: Julie Baldridge, 501 683 1877, Julie.Baldridge@arkansas.gov
