A Response to “The Rise of Teenage Gambling”

Ricard Chavira has written a rather shocking story about the rise in

teenage gambling across the United States. Personally, I do not have a

problem with gambling and I do not know any close peers that have a serious

problem with it either. I guess this is why this story appeared so appalling to

me.

Mr. Chavira says that just ten years ago gambling amongst teenagers

barely registered on the roster of social ills compared to now, where seven

percent of gambling counselors’ caseloads are involving teens. I know that

gambling is not the biggest problem that the average teenager encounters but I

do believe that something should be done to make our countries up and

coming generations aware of what gambling is all about.

“The bookies threatened me. One said that he would cut off my

mother’s legs if I didn’t pay.” This is what Greg from Philadelphia said in

this story. I believe that teenager’s should be more aware of the risks and

dangers that actually come with gambling besides just the loss of money too.

I know the first thing I think of when it comes to gambling is simply just the

loss of money. I do not think of my mother losing her legs, losing a close

friend, or losing my life. Something must be done to prevent the teenage

gambling numbers from rising any further and the only people that have the

power to do anything about it are the local, state, and national government

officials. They need to make the teenage society more aware of what they are

getting into with gambling.

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