Colorado Lottery joins Gift Responsibly holiday campaign to raise awareness of youth gambling risks; asks adults to pledge their commitment

This week, the Colorado Lottery announced its continuing commitment to the highest level of support in the 2024 Gift Responsibly Campaign. It joins lotteries and community organizations across the country and around the world, to raise awareness about the risks of buying lottery tickets for children.

As part of the campaign, the Lottery is asking adults to sign a pledge not to give Lottery products to children over the holidays.

Throughout the month of December, Colorado Lottery staff will visit five different retailers to promote the Gift Responsibly campaign. Adult guests at the store will be encouraged to sign a virtual pledge not to gift Lottery products to anyone under the age of 18.

Every person to pledge will be entered into a Lottery giveaway that will take place at the end of the promotion in early January. 

At the retail events, guests will enjoy holiday fun and treats, sign their pledge to gift responsibly this holiday season, and be able to spin the prize wheel filled with Holiday Scratch tickets and prizes.  

December events will be hosted at:

• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 — King Soopers, 1650 30th St., Boulder
• 3-5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 — Safeway, 323 S. Broadway, Denver
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 — King Soopers, 2602 S. Timberline Rd., Fort Collins
• 2-4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9 — King Soopers, 1275 Eagle Dr, Loveland
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10 — Safeway, 6100 S Gun Club Rd, Aurora
• 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12 — 6925 Mesa Ridge Parkway, Fountain

Research shows that when a person participates in or is exposed to gambling at a young age, their risk of developing a gambling problem later in life as an adult increases. That is why the Lottery encourages parents and other adults not to give Lottery tickets to kids as gifts or otherwise. 

“While we recognize that our games are a form of entertainment and therefore may seem like they would be a fun gift for kids, research shows that minors should not be exposed to gambling – even Lottery tickets,”said Tom Seaver, director of the Colorado Lottery. “Our participation in the Gift Responsibly campaign is another way we can help keep not just our current players, but our future players, stay safe.”

Throughout the holiday shopping season, the Lottery works to promote awareness about the risks of underage lottery exposure through creative advertising, public service announcements, social media, in-store events, signage, and retailer communications.  

The annual Gift Responsibly campaign is organized by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the International Center for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University. 

“The potential long-term risks associated with underage gambling exposure cannot be understated,” said Keith Whyte, NCPG Executive Director. “We applaud the Colorado Lottery for its commitment to raising awareness about the risks of youth gambling and for working to educate the community that lottery tickets are never appropriate gifts for children.” 

The Colorado Lottery and its employees have pledged to make responsible gaming an integral part of how it conducts its business. As part of this commitment, in 2018 the Lottery joined the World Lottery Association and adopted their Responsible Gaming Framework — an internationally recognized set of industry best practices for responsible gaming. The Lottery is  just a handful of U.S. lotteries awarded Level 4 Responsible Gaming Certification by the WLA, the organization’s highest level of accreditation and the industry gold standard. Information about the Lottery’s responsible gaming program and playing responsibly can be found on its Know Your Limits web page.

Since 1983, the Colorado Lottery has returned more than $4.4 billion to outdoor projects through Great Outdoors Colorado, the Conservation Trust Fund, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife; and to schools through Building Excellent Schools Today. Proceeds from sales of Colorado Lottery games enhance, protect, improve parks, trails, and open space in Colorado.

For more information, visit coloradolottery.com. 

The National Council on Problem Gambling is neutral on legalized gambling. Based in Washington DC, NCPG is the only national nonprofit organization that seeks to minimize the economic and social costs associated with gambling addiction. If you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline, which offers hope and help without stigma or shame.

Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER or visit http://www.1800gamblerchat.org. Help is available 24/7 – it is free and confidential.