It’s not unusual for me to get a birthday card from a couple of my aunts with a scratch off ticket inside.

Even if I don’t win, and the vast majority of the time I don’t; it’s still the thought that counts.

But then again, I’m an adult.

However, could you see giving a scratch off ticket as a gift to a kid?
Sound weird to you?

Perhaps it may not seem all that strange, but the Lottery Commission frowns on it just the same.

New Jersey Lottery officials are working to discourage the gifting of lottery tickets to minors, especially during the upcoming holiday season.

The lottery has once again joined forces with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey in their efforts to prevent underage gambling this holiday season. While adults are not legally barred from buying tickets and giving them to minors, state law does requires that ticket buyers be at least 18 years old.

Donald Weinbaum, the council’s executive director, urged adults planning to give lottery tickets as gifts should consider the age of the recipient when making their choices.
Experts say adult problem gamblers frequently report beginning gambling during childhood, often between 9 and 10 years old, with other family members.

Just as an example, would there be any harm in placing a scratch off ticket inside the birthday card of a child? It’s not as though the child has wagered anything him or herself.

However, do you really think that child gets what all wagering is about - and what it means to "bet with your head - not over it!"

I think not.

Winning (and losing) may be seen as all too easy a game to a child - a lesson I don’t think you want them to pick up until they’re old enough to figure out just what some of the true pitfalls of gaming can be.

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