Lottery tickets are go-to stocking stuffers for many Nova Scotians during the holidays, but parents, caregivers, family members and friends are reminded not to gift lottery tickets or encourage lottery play with minors.

“We want to remind everyone we all have a role in preventing minors from playing lottery products this holiday season,” said Bob MacKinnon, president and CEO of Nova Scotia Gaming Corporation. “While lottery and scratch tickets are appropriate gifts throughout the year for adults, with particular popularity around the holidays, they are never appropriate gifts for children.”

For more than ten years, the corporation has been sharing this message to raise awareness regarding underage lottery play around the holiday season. It is part of an annual campaign developed by the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviours at McGill University and the National Council on Problem Gambling to raise awareness around the risks of underage lottery play. The campaign includes more than 50 participating lotteries from across Canada, the United States and some international organizations.

While lottery tickets might not seem risky, adults who experience harm from gambling report an earlier onset of gambling, often beginning between the ages of 10-19.

The corporation works with ticket lottery operator, Atlantic Lottery, to offer a responsible gaming environment year-round. They prominently display legal age on lottery products, offer training to ticket lottery retailers on responsible gambling, and work diligently to verify that retailers comply with laws.

“We are committed to supporting education and preventative programming that contributes to safe and responsible gambling, especially where minors are concerned,” said Mr. MacKinnon.
More than 1,000 ticket lottery retailers throughout Nova Scotia play an important role in preventing the sale of lottery products to minors.

Source: Release