July 22nd, 2008
excerpt:
FARIBAULT — A recent study says that gambling is becoming an addiction among high school students, but local school officials say they don’t see it happening here.
According to a 2007 Minnesota Student Survey, more than 60 percent of 12th-grade boys said they played cards for money. Nationwide, 4 to 8 percent of teens are projected to already have a gambling issue, while another 10 to 15 percent are said to be at risk for a developing a problem, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling.
So far, any indication of a problem in Faribault isn’t evident, said Bob Stepaniak, superintendent of the Faribault School District.
“We haven’t had anything that has leveled to the surface and come to our attention,” he said.
He said over the past 10 years he has seen a trend at all-night parties, after proms or graduations for students to gamble for points as a way to win prizes.
“It became a popular attraction, primarily for boys,” Stepaniak said of the faux-gambling, citing the television craze of events such as the World Series of Poker on ESPN adding to the popularity.
Lyle Turtle, Faribault High School principal, agreed with Stepaniak, saying there hasn’t been any indication of students who have an addiction to gambling.
Click here to read more:
Teen gambling not viewed as issue locally on Faribault Daily News
Author Contact Info: Corey Butler Jr., Faribault Daily News
