Washington’s Lottery, Washington State Health Care Authority, Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling and National Council on Problem Gambling Remind People that Children are Too Young to Bet
Olympia, WA (November 24, 2025) – Finding the right holiday gift can be a challenge, and while it is appealing to think that a friend or family member could win it big thanks to a gift of lottery tickets, giving that gift isn’t always appropriate. Washington’s Lottery is teaming up with other state agencies and organizations to remind everyone that lottery tickets are not suitable gifts for children and teens under the age of 18 during the holiday season, or any time of year.
“Giving and receiving lottery tickets during the holiday season can be fun, but lottery tickets should only be purchased by adults for adults,” said Kristi Weeks, Director of Legal Services at Washington’s Lottery. “Research shows that early exposure to gambling – and that includes the lottery – increases a child’s risk of problem gambling later in life. Our kids have bright futures ahead of them. Why risk it? Let’s keep gambling away from kids this holiday season and all year long.”
In December 2024, Washington’s Lottery achieved the highest level of responsible gambling certification in the country, as acknowledged by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL).
Recent data provided by NCPG and Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling (ECPG) shows:
- In the last year, an estimated 159.6 million youth under the age of 18 have gambled on commercial forms of gambling (e.g., lotteries, sports betting, casinos, online gambling, etc.) – despite age restrictions.
- Children are “particularly vulnerable” to the perceived link between sporting events and gambling.
- Gen Z and Gen Alpha are remarkably tech-savvy, yet 1 in 6 parents admit they wouldn’t know if their child was betting online. Young males are more likely to meet the criteria for problem gambling than young females.
- More than two thirds of adult gamblers have reported that exposure to gambling during adolescence was a key contributing factor to their current gambling.
As organizations committed to responsible gambling, Washington’s Lottery, Washington State Health Care Authority, ECPG and NCPG are all working together this holiday season to spread the word about this important issue and to ensure that lottery tickets remain in the hands of those 18 or older.
"Many young people report receiving their first lottery tickets as gifts during the holiday season, and while that can seem fun, it may also create some long-term risks,” said Maureen Greeley, Executive Director of ECPG. “Studies show a clear link between early exposure to gambling products and the potential for problem gambling later in life. There are significant developmental reasons why lottery games – and gambling in general – are not suitable for anyone under the age of 18. They’re just too young to bet."
Anyone concerned about problem gambling for themselves or a loved one is invited to call ECPG’s Washington State Problem Gambling Helpline at 1.800.547.6133. The Helpline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will refer callers to counseling available in Washington, including low- and no-fee services available for those who cannot afford it.
For a list of great gift ideas for kids, go to https://www.evergreencpg.org/gift-responsibly/. More information about problem gambling, including local treatment and recovery support services, is available at www.evergreencpg.org. More information also can be found at www.youthgambling.com and from the National Council on Problem Gambling website at www.ncpgambling.org. Functioning as both the state's largest health care purchaser and its behavioral health authority, the Washington State Health Care Authority is a leader in ensuring Washington residents have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.
Who Benefits
Since 1982, Washington’s Lottery has generated more than $5.3 billion to support several important state programs. The Lottery’s primary beneficiary is the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account (WOPA), which provides much-needed funding for programs including early childhood education, the Washington College Grant and College Bound program, Washington Award for Vocational Excellence, GET Ready for Math and Science scholarships, and more. These programs help provide critical services and support to thousands of Washington residents each year and help improve their lives.
Beneficiary Fact
Washington’s Lottery is proud to be a financial supporter of the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC), which administers state financial aid programs. WSAC leads a variety of initiatives to increase educational opportunities for students, families, and educators across the state, with a particular focus on increasing equity by reaching communities of color and students from low-income families. The Lottery also proudly supports the state’s Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program (ECEAP), a state-funded pre-K program that helps children become kindergarten-ready by building early skills in reading, math and science. The program works closely with parents to support their children’s health and education.
About Washington’s Lottery: The state’s Lottery offers consumers several types of games, including Mega Millions, Powerball, Lotto, Hit 5, Match 4, Pick 3, Cash POP, Daily Keno and Scratch. For more information, visit www.walottery.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @walottery.
Keep it fun. Know your limit. Washington’s Lottery is an advocate for responsible gaming and collaborates with the Evergreen Council for Problem Gambling to provide resources for those in need. More information is available at www.walottery.com/Responsibility.
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Press Contacts
Dan Miller (Curator on behalf of Washington’s Lottery)
E-mail: dan.miller@curatorpr.com
Xiamara Garza-Urbieta (Curator on behalf of Washington’s Lottery)
E-mail: xiamara.garza@curatorpr.com