DC Lottery Joins Gift Responsibly Campaign to Raise Awareness About Youth Gambling Risks
WASHINGTON, DC—The DC Lottery will participate in the 2025 Gift Responsibly Campaign that reminds the community to gift lottery tickets responsibly and raises awareness about the risks of youth gambling. The campaign is organized by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and supported by the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL).
During this winter holiday season, the DC Lottery will highlight the risks of underage lottery use through a variety of public service announcements, a social media campaign, in-store signage, and retailer training. “Lottery tickets aren’t child’s play” and are never an appropriate gift for children is a central theme of the campaign.
Research supports that early exposure to or participation in gambling during childhood is highly correlated with the development of a gambling problem later in life. Gambling exposure during childhood is often through a lottery product, such as lottery tickets or scratchers. Often, these items are given to a child by an adult who is unaware of the associated risks.
“The DC Lottery is committed to responsible gaming, and the annual Gift Responsibly Campaign helps raise public awareness to the dangers of underage gambling,” said Executive Director Randy Burnside. “We want our players to play responsibly and understand that lottery tickets should never be given as gifts to minors.”
Throughout the year, the DC Lottery is committed to the responsible sale and oversight of all lottery products and gaming services. The organization’s Responsible Gaming Program provides a comprehensive framework to minimize any potential harm that gaming may have on individuals, families, and communities while increasing the awareness of problem gambling and available treatment resources. DC Lottery retail partners are equally committed to responsible gaming practices and are mandated to develop and maintain a responsible gaming program.
To learn more about available support and resources, visit our Play Responsibly page by clicking HERE.
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Since its inception in 1982, the DC Lottery has awarded more than $4.8 billion in prizes, transferred over $2.4 billion to the District’s General Fund, which supports essential services in the District, and has helped local nonprofits raise more than $139.5 million in support of social causes. To learn more, visit dclottery.com.