The Gaming Commission has allocated $275,000 to conduct a comprehensive study on gambling behaviors among youth in the Springfield area. This study comes as part of a larger effort to better understand the impact of gambling on young people and to develop strategies for preventing problem gambling in this vulnerable population.
The study, which will be conducted by researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, will involve surveying a sample of Springfield high school students to assess their attitudes and behaviors towards gambling. The researchers will also analyze data on gambling patterns and trends among young people in the community, as well as examine the role of marketing and advertising in influencing youth gambling behaviors.
The funding for this study comes from the Gaming Commission’s Community Mitigation Fund, which was established to address the negative impacts of expanded gambling in Massachusetts. The Commission has identified youth gambling as a priority area for research due to concerns about the potential for addiction and other harm among this demographic.
Commissioner Cathy Judd-Stein emphasized the importance of understanding the factors that contribute to youth gambling in order to develop effective prevention programs. “By investing in research on youth gambling behaviors, we hope to gain a better understanding of this issue and develop targeted interventions to protect young people from the harms of problem gambling,” she said.
The results of this study are expected to be shared with local stakeholders, including schools, youth organizations, and community groups, to inform efforts to prevent and address youth gambling in Springfield. The Gaming Commission is also planning to use the findings to inform future decision-making on gambling regulations and policies in the state.
The study is set to begin in the coming months and is expected to be completed within a year. Researchers are hopeful that the findings will lead to more effective strategies for protecting young people from the risks of problem gambling and promoting responsible gaming habits.