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Teen Gambling on Rise

UNITED STATES – As reported by the Dallas Morning News: "For some teens, it starts with a pop-up inviting them to gamble on their computer screens.

"For others, it's social. Friends invite them to gamble online the way they used to invite them to play video games.

"…Many teens, like many adults, keep their gambling under control. But experts worry that as the number of teens who gamble online increases, the number of teens with gambling problems will increase as well.

"…Consumer spending in Internet gambling totaled $6 billion in 2003 and continues to rise, according to Jason Pawlina, an analyst for Christiansen Capital Advisors, a New York consulting firm in the gambling and entertainment industry.

"…'Teen gambling is definitely on the rise,' says Dr. Debra Hapenny Ciavola, a family therapist in Coppell and author of 50 Tips, Tricks & Techniques to Connect With Your Teen.

"… Ciavola discerned a pattern with her gambling patients. Most were male, bright, successful, charismatic and had good grades.

"…Ciavola noticed another disturbing part of the pattern. All of these kids spent a lot of time alone instead of with their families…"

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