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According to Dr. Marvin Steinberg, executive director of the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling in Guilford, "the current issue with March Madness is that there is more gambling during this month than any other playoffs."
The SuperBowl spurs the greatest amount of illegal gambling in single day.
The most concern rests with high school and college-age young adults.
"Ages 15-24 become interested in the brackets, thinking the game will be more interesting if money is put down on it," said Steinberg. "This is the age of competition and school spirit, and can sometimes be used as a substitute for drugs or alcohol or be abused with drugs or alcohol."
High school-age men are also more likely to gamble than women. However, there is a slight increase in gambling for women during college years.
According to Connecticut law, in order to play the lottery, one must be 18 years of age, and to gamble in a casino, one must be 21, except for bingo play. The problem with Connecticut gambling law, according to Steinberg, is that it still allows parents or family members to purchase lottery tickets for young children.
"Connecticut has a law that permits adults to give lottery tickets to minors as gifts, giving young children the idea that if they win on the scratch-off tickets, they can always win," said Steinberg.
Steinberg also explained the dangers of using illegal bookies to place bets.
"Bookies are good at sucking you in, and since you don't have to pay money immediately, bookies encourage you to gamble more and more, then they use scare tactics to make people pay," he said.
According to Steinberg, young adults have been known to use Christmas money, birthday money and even steal parents' credit cards in order to place bets.
"Society is not as concerned with gambling than they are with tobacco and alcohol," said Steinberg. "We do not see it as a big problem."
The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling is in partnership with the Connecticut Lottery to stop underage gambling and creates public service announcements. The most recent PSA features the voice of UConn men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun speaking about competition versus gambling.
The CCPG also has a new PSA being shown at all motor vehicle departments and is in continuous consultation with the two casinos.
For help with problem gambling or for more information, call 1-800-340-6238.
