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Florida retailers launch program

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Florida – (PRESS RELEASE) -- During the busiest shopping season of the year, the Florida Retail Federation (FRF) is encouraging retailers to consider placement of adult gambling games in stores. FRF is joining the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling's (FCCG) initiative to prevent early introduction to gambling among Florida's youth. The organizations are urging retailers statewide to keep adult gambling games out of the toy department.

"We are simply asking our industry to be responsible when placing these items on the shelves," says Sally House of FRF. "We are suggesting that adult gambling products be displayed in areas with other adult gift inventory rather than among the toys."

A study commissioned by FCCG indicates that children introduced to gambling are 2-4 times more likely to become problem gamblers. They are hopeful that keeping these games out of the toy and youth aisles will aid prevention of adolescents developing habits that progress into pathological gambling.

"Because these products are so vividly packaged and look fun, it's difficult for a child to discern between an adult game and youth games. To a young person, a game is a game," explains Pat Fowler, Director of FCCG.

Youth between the ages of 13-17 are among the fastest growing groups of problem gamblers in the state with rates twice that of the adult population.

"Our industry's compliance with this simple suggestion is a step toward the abatement of this problem," says House. "We are more than happy to partner with FCCG."

Display and sale of adult gambling items such as cards, poker sets, and dice are not currently federally-regulated. It is the desire of FCCG to work with FRF to implement self-regulatory practices, much like the alcoholic beverage and tobacco industries are doing with advertising of their products. FRF's pioneer move marks the first time ever in this country that a state retail federation has done this.

"We applaud Florida retailers leading the way, especially at such a critical time when there is so much focus on sales," expresses Fowler. "We can only hope that other state retail federations will follow making this a national effort."

Nearly one-fourth of America's youth are at-risk or suffer with a gambling problem.

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