News Release

Lottery Tickets Aren't Child's Play

Link to video

TRENTON (Dec. 19, 2022) – During this holiday season, the New Jersey Lottery (NJL) and the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc. (CCGNJ) have joined together with other lotteries around the country to build public awareness that lottery products are not an appropriate gift for minors.

“Lottery tickets are popular gift choices to slip into a card or include as a stocking stuffer during the holiday season, and we caution parents and other adults against gifting lottery tickets to children,” said NJL Executive Director James A. Carey, Jr. “New Jersey law requires lottery purchasers to be 18 years of age or older. While the law does not prohibit adults from giving tickets to minors, research suggests that this is not a good idea.”

To reinforce those messages, the Lottery and the CCGNJ have developed a video to urge residents to use good judgment when making holiday gift selections for children. The video, which is available for viewing on the “Responsible Play” page of the Lottery’s website and on the CCGNJ’s website, explains the potential danger in involving minors in the lottery play and other forms of gambling before they are old enough to understand the risks.

In addition to the video, the Lottery has also crafted a holiday advertising campaign that includes the messaging, “’Tis the season to gift responsibly. Lottery is not child’s play. The New Jersey Lottery is a provider of fun and entertaining games that are not intended for anyone under the age of 18. Parents are urged not to give lottery tickets to children.”

According to Felicia Grondin, executive director of the CCGNJ, “The Lottery is a valuable partner with the Council on Compulsive Gambling in efforts to remind residents that lottery tickets are not an appropriate gift for minors. The Council urges parents to use sound judgment in making holiday gift selections for their children. Adult problem gamblers frequently report beginning gambling during childhood, often at ages 9-10. So this holiday season, if you choose to give a lottery ticket as a gift be sure to consider the age of the recipient. There is a reason why New Jersey has established minimum ages for gambling activities.”

About the New Jersey Lottery

Since its inception in 1970, the New Jersey Lottery (NJLottery.com) has contributed more than $31 billion to support New Jersey State’s financial obligations. Since 2012, the Lottery has been certified by the World Lottery Association as an industry leader in Responsible Gaming best practices. In 2016, New Jersey Lottery received the highest level of recognition awarded by the World Lottery Association - Level 4 Responsible Gaming Framework Certificate of Accreditation- a distinction certifying that it applies responsible gaming principles in day-to-day operations with an emphasis on continuous improvement.

About the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc.

Since 1983, the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc. has helped problem and compulsive gamblers and their families. The group was a pioneer in the compulsive gambling field and remains one of the leaders in providing professional and compassionate services to a wide range of audiences. The Council’s mission is to provide prevention, education and referral services to anyone affected by this disorder. They operate the most widely recognized gambling help number in the nation, the 1-800-GAMBLER® Helpline. The help number is now available in 20 states and offers 24-hour, immediate, confidential assistance to anyone affected by gambling problems.

About the World Lottery Association

The World Lottery Association (WLA) is an international trade organization that serves the interests of state-authorized lotteries and suppliers to the global lottery industry. The WLA serves over 150 state lotteries and more than 75 lottery sector suppliers worldwide. WLA lottery members exist to support good causes in their respective jurisdictions through the sale of responsible, ethical, and entertaining gaming products.