For parents & teachers

These examples are written for people to read themselves. You can also use one to start a conversation.

Start with a decision.

Someone puts money they need for a bill on a bet. It wins. Was it a good decision?

Ask the same question with a different ending: the bet loses. What changed about the decision, and what changed about how it feels?

The explanation of results and decisions is a useful starting point. Students don’t need to calculate odds or know how a betting app works to discuss it.

A second example: chasing while you’re ahead.

Someone starts with $50, reaches $200, then falls back to $120. They’re still $70 up. But they want to get back to $200.

What amount do they feel they’ve lost? What happens to that target if they bet again and lose? Read the page on chasing together after the discussion.

Keep personal experience optional.

Use hypothetical examples. Nobody needs to say whether they gamble or talk about their family’s finances. Young people may already know quite a lot about betting, or be affected by someone else’s gambling.

When someone raises a personal concern, listen to what they say is happening. Ask about specific changes, such as missed sleep, borrowing, or difficulty stopping. Follow your school’s support procedures where relevant. The support page is also for family and friends.

What this resource can do.

It can help explain a decision and make it easier to talk about. Understanding a mistake doesn’t always make it easy to avoid. This resource is in development and has not been evaluated as a prevention program.