The British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) has reminded its customers that lottery products, including scratch & win tickets, are not suitable gifts for minors at any time of the year, but especially during the holiday season when parents may be in search of the perfect stocking stuffer.
The BCLC has partnered with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) for its annual #GiftSmart public-information campaign to encourage responsible play and gift giving through online, radio and social media outreach, as well as through digital signage at 3,500 lottery retailers across the province.
The lottery is part of the NCPG’s ‘Responsible Gambling Holiday Lottery Campaign’ along with many other lotteries across the United States, Canada and the world as a level three participant. The campaign is endorsed by the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL) and the World Lottery Association (WLA).
Dr Jamie Wiebe, Director of Player Health for BCLC, said: “Research shows that early childhood gambling experiences, including those with lottery products, can be a risk factor for gambling problems later in life. We encourage everyone to be #GiftSmart and give lottery tickets as gifts only to adults.”
The BCLC has encouraged parents to start a conversation with their children about the risks associated with gambling and, during the holiday season, it is reminding everyone not to stuff kids’ stockings with lottery products of any kind.
Last week, the lottery announced it had received the WLA’s Level 4 certification for excellence in responsible-gambling programming for the fourth consecutive time.
