GCASA produces anti-gambling commercial

Two teens – Albion High School senior Carol Pritchard, left, and GCC student Alise Pangrazio – try to buy Lottery tickets from Fischer’s News Stand in a video produced by GCASA.

ALBION – An organization is urging parents to talk to their children about the dangers of gambling, warning the kids to not buy lottery tickets and bet money on games.

The Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse has produced a 3-minute commercial, warning about gambling addiction. The commercial (Click here to see it) targets teen gambling. GCASA says a survey of students in grades 6 through 12 revealed that about 30 percent gamble through either the lottery or betting on sports.

In the commercial, GCASA states that gambling has become an accepted pastime. The agency urges parents to talk to their children about the dangers of gambling before a serious problem develops.

GCASA has received funding from the New York Council on Problem Gambling for 2014 to increase the number of parents who are committed to talking to their children about the dangers associated with underage gambling, said Pat Crowley, project director for Orleans United Drug Free Communities Coalition.

“As with many challenging issues for youth, it is important for parents to talk about gambling,” Crowley said. “It is important for parents to examine their own attitudes and habits around gambling and make sure you are modeling healthy behaviors.”

For more information regarding problem gambling contact GCASA at 585-589-0055 in Albion or 585-343-1124 in Batavia or you can reach the NYS HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY.