Montreal Gazette, Global - Lottery tickets for kids on centre's naughty list

Santa shouldn't fill any child's stockings with lottery tickets. That's the message from McGill University's International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviours, which is joining forces with the U.S. National Council on Problem Gambling in Washington, D.C., to highlight the risks of giving lottery tickets as holiday gifts to minors. Lottery tickets and scratch cards are increasingly being given as stocking stuffers, and many lottery corporations throughout the world - including Loto-Québec - are spreading the message that lotteries are not child's play.

"It is inappropriate for minors to play the lottery, and this can increase the potential for involvement in other forms of gambling and problem gambling later in life," said Jeffrey Derevensky, co-director of the McGill centre. "We look forward to growing support and encourage all lottery corporations to join with us to convey the message that lottery tickets are for adults - not for children."