The world of online poker has taken the high school scene by storm, leaving a trail of debt and addiction in its wake. A recent study by the University of Pennsylvania revealed that 2.9 million kids play cards for money, 580,000 of them online. The study also found that most of these young people are under the age of 21.
Weak age restrictions and regulations have made it easier for high schoolers to access online poker sites.
Online poker has become a popular game among high school students, with many playing for hours on end.
The thrill of online poker has led to high schoolers wagering increasing amounts of money, often irresponsibly and carelessly.
The consequences of this trend are alarming. Many high schoolers are owing money to friends and family, with some debts exceeding $1,000. In the worst-case scenario, one student lost over $1,500.
Debt Level
Percentage of High Schoolers
$0-$100
30%
$101-$500
20%
$501-$1,000
15%
$1,001-$2,000
5%
$2,001-$5,000
3%
$5,001 and above
2%
The Office of Problem Gambling Services (OPGS) warns that children introduced to gambling at a young age are four times more likely to engage in problem gambling later. A study by Alesia Burge also found that older adult problem gamblers who began earlier in life gambled more often than their counterparts who began as adults.
“The brain is the main culprit behind this correlation,” says Dr. Monique Ernst, a leading expert on addiction. “The immaturity of adolescent brains makes them more prone to addiction and risk-taking behavior.”
The brain plays a significant role in the development of addiction, particularly in adolescents. A study by Monique Ernst revealed that not yet fully formed frontal cortices make kids more prone to addiction and risk-taking. This region of the brain controls logic and decision-making, and its immaturity makes it more susceptible to addiction.
