Gambling Harms Brainstorm
This activity helps to introduce the concept of gambling and gambling harms, providing an opportunity for young people to share and explore their ideas about gambling and the harms it could lead to.
Explain
Time:
5-15min
Resources:
Flip-chart, felt-tip pens
Method
- Explain that not all gambling is harmful, however it is possible to develop a gambling disorder.
- Brainstorm with the group what they think gambling harms are.
- Recap what participants said and discuss.
- Give them the full definition and discuss (“gambling harms are the adverse impacts from gambling on the health and wellbeing of individuals, families, communities and society”).
- Explain that gambling can be as addictive as drugs and alcohol.
Alternative options:
You can make the brainstorm more exciting by giving them some fun tasks to do at the same time, e.g. with balloons that participants have to pass around while managing a team strategy to write their ideas on the board, using only one pen.
It may be useful to combine this activity with the Consequences of Gambling game.