TEXAS LOTTERY CALLS ON PLAYERS TO ‘GIFT RESPONSIBLY’
TEXAS LOTTERY CALLS ON PLAYERS TO ‘GIFT RESPONSIBLY’
Annual campaign raises awareness of youth gambling risks
AUSTIN — The Texas Lottery is taking part in the 2025 Gift Responsibly Campaign, joining more than 200 lotteries and community organizations across North America and around the world to raise awareness about the risks of underage lottery play. The campaign is organized by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and supported by the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL).
Research suggests that participation in gambling during childhood is highly correlated with the development of a gambling problem later in life. Gambling exposure during childhood is often through lottery products, such as draw game tickets or scratch tickets. Often these items are given to a child by an adult who is unaware of the risks.
“The Texas Lottery is committed to promoting responsible gambling and addressing problem gambling,” said Courtney Arbour, executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), which oversees the Texas Lottery. “That’s why we continue to raise awareness about these risks and have taken steps to ensure lottery purchases and prize claims are restricted to adults.”
As a partisipant of the 2025 Gift Responsibly Campaign, the Texas Lottery will intensify its efforts throughout the holiday season to promote awareness about the risks of underage lottery play via social media, targeted advertisements, retailer training and educational materials at lottery claim centers. Messages will be featured prominently at point-of-sale in retail locations, on social media, within the Texas Lottery® App, on the Texas Lottery’s website and through educational communications to employees, players and retailers.
Since its inception, the Texas Lottery has continuously emphasized on tickets, self-service lottery vending machines and in advertising and marketing materials that the sale and purchase of lottery tickets are strictly for adults 18 years or older. In December 2024, age-verification technology was added to all lottery vending machines requiring a state-issued ID be scanned to initiate ticket purchase, mitigating the risk of sales to minors.
The Texas Lottery’s high standards continue to be recognized through certification from NASPL and NCPG, along with continued Level 3 Responsible Gaming Framework certification from the World Lottery Association. During FY 2025, the Texas Lottery prioritized Responsible Gambling as a core element of its social responsibility initiatives evident through its comprehensive approach to training, marketing and seasonal campaigns. Enhanced annual training for retailers, vendor staff and agency employees was paired with campaigns to educate adults about the potential harms associated with lottery play for youth and awareness of problem gambling behaviors.
“Youth gambling is a growing risk that too often goes overlooked. The Gift Responsibly Campaign plays a vital role in helping families and communities understand the importance of keeping lottery products out of kids’ hands,” said Derek Longmeier, President of NCPG’s Board of Directors. “We’re grateful to the Texas Lottery for joining this effort and working to expand education and awareness to protect young people from gambling-related harm.”
About the Texas Lottery
The Texas Lottery’s functions and activities are administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating a broad range of professions, occupations and industries in Texas. Beginning with the first ticket sold in 1992, the Texas Lottery has generated more than $41.5 billion in revenue for the state and distributed more than $93.5 billion in prizes to lottery players. Since 1997, the Texas Lottery has contributed more than $35.5 billion to the Foundation School Fund, which supports public education in Texas. As authorized by the Texas Legislature, certain Texas Lottery revenues benefit state programs including the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance. Since the first veterans’ themed scratch ticket game was launched in 2009, the Texas Lottery has contributed more than $279 million for programs supporting Texas veterans.
The Texas Lottery provides several entertaining games for lottery players including Powerball®, Mega Millions®, Lotto Texas®, All or Nothing™, Texas Two Step®, Pick 3™, Daily 4™, Cash Five® and scratch ticket games. For more information visit us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube or at texaslottery.com. Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket or enter a promotional second-chance drawing. PLAY RESPONSIBLY.
About the National Council on Problem Gambling
NCPG is neutral on legalized gambling. Based in Washington DC, NCPG is the only national nonprofit organization that seeks to minimize the economic and social costs associated with gambling addiction. If you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline™, which offers hope and help without stigma or shame. Call 1-800-522-4700, text 800GAM, or visit www.ncpgambling.org/chat. Help is available 24/7 – it is free and confidential.
Editors/News Directors, note: When referring to the Texas Lottery as an organization, please use or say, “Texas Lottery” and not “Texas Lottery Commission.” A graphic for the National Council on Problem Gambling’s Gift Responsibly campaign can be downloaded here.
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