Lottery tickets aren't for kids, Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis says
As parents are looking for gift ideas for their difficult-to-please youngsters, the provincial government says some quick ideas have been illegal for minors to buy for more than 30 years.
The Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) says it is launching an initiative to help Albertans understand that scratch tickets should never be purchased for anyone under 18 years old.
The awareness campaign, which begins Dec. 1 and runs to the 25, will use social media to share the message, the province says.
Officials say research indicates the earlier that individuals start to gamble, the more likely it is for them to develop gambling problems later in life.
"Our Minors' Awareness campaign is designed to educate gift givers and lottery retailers, reminding them that lottery tickets are not a suitable gift for children," said Kandice Machado, AGLC's president and CEO, in a statement. 'The province’s lottery industry and the general public are key partners in preventing underage gambling among Alberta's youth."
The Alberta government first introduced lottery products in 1975 and, since then, minors have been excluded from purchasing or cashing tickets.
The AGLC also has a variety of programs designed to help those with gambling addictions and support responsible gaming.
"If you or someone you know may require additional gambling support, contact the Alberta Health Services Addiction Line at 1-866-332-2322," AGLC says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Spain abolishes national bullfighting award in cultural shift
Spain scrapped an annual bullfighting award on Friday, prompting a rebuke from conservatives over a backlash against a centuries-old tradition they see as an art form but which has run into growing concern for animal welfare.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.