After Gov's son, youth gambling concern

NYC, N.Y. (WIVB) - The governor's son Alex is back with his family after being picked up by police in New York City. David Paterson says his son was playing dice. So how serious a problem is gambling by young people?

Experts say gambling among underage children is a serious problem.

Marlene Schillinger of the Jewish Family Service said, “About ten percent of the kids in grades 7 through 12 gamble in one form or another.”

Schillinger is the President and CEO of Jewish Family Service, which offers a gambling recovery program for problem gamblers.

“In some instances we have had youngsters here who have had bookies waiting for them after school,” said Schillinger.

Experts say problem gambling warning signs include: Relying on others to get out of debt; using credit cards for cash advances; stealing money to gamble; and gambling to escape problems.

Schillinger said, “If adults do it, we can expect youngsters and young adults to do it as well.”

The gambling could lead to legal problems. Amherst Town Justice Mark Farrell presides over the only gambling court in the world.

Farrell said, “People look at gamblers as being character flawed as opposed to being dependent or addicted.”

He tells News 4 it's not uncommon to have a 16 or 17-year-olds stand before him. Gambling Court is an alternative to jail with guidelines.

“Early connection with a gambling treatment agency. An individually tailored program, immediate contact back with the court,” said Farrell.

However, some young people may be gambling with their parents' consent. Even using matchsticks for a card game may not be as innocent as people think.

Farrell explained, “In local schools it's been reported to me that some 16 and 17-year-olds have had three or four thousand dollars on the table while their parents are running around with pizzas because those matchsticks mean something else.”

All of this came to light because governor David Paterson's son and friends were caught by police playing a dice game on the street. We have a phone number for people with gambling addictions.

You can call Jewish Family Services at 883-1914.