A Guide to Spotting and Addressing Teen Gambling, with Lianne Forman of Communities Confronting Substance Use & Addiction, a division of Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services
For some time, the Orthodox community has taken a proactive approach to substance misuse and addiction, confronting these dangers openly and directly through education and awareness efforts, particularly among adolescents.
In recent years, however, teen and preteen gambling among yeshiva and day school students has emerged as a growing problem, reaching what many professionals describe as highly concerning. Far more than harmless entertainment, gambling and activities that closely resemble it, such as friendly sports bets, fantasy leagues, and speculative predictions, can carry serious emotional and financial consequences for teens and their families.
Lianne Forman is the founder and director of CCSA (Communities Confronting Substance Use & Addiction), a division of Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services, dedicated to reducing stigma around substance use and addiction in the Jewish community through school-based programming. Since 2019, CCSA has worked with 110 Jewish schools nationwide, educating nearly 40,000 students about the risks of substance use, gambling and other addictive behaviors.
Data collected by CCSA from thousands of Jewish middle and high school students revealed that 18% of middle schoolers and 24% of high schoolers gambled during the 2024–25 academic year. Focus groups further confirmed that gambling is both prevalent and socially normalized, particularly among boys.
We spoke with Lianne about how to identify this “hidden” addiction in teens and the steps parents, educators, and rabbanim can take to address and prevent this growing concern.
Why is gambling addiction often harder to detect than substance misuse or other risky behaviors?
Gambling addiction or issues relating to this behavior may be harder to detect than substance use issues because there are no immediate physical signs. This is not to say that substance use or other mental health issues are easy to detect, but a teen can hide the gambling behavior easily and engage in it almost any time and anywhere. I think the bigger issue is parents’ lack of understanding about gambling’s associated risks. Many parents view it as entertainment, especially when connected to sports, cards, fantasy leagues or friendly betting. As such, there is often no parental discouragement or bright lines drawn around this type of behavior which would signal to teens that it is unhealthy. Even teens who recognize that it is unhealthy often find ways to hide it, whether out of embarrassment or fear of punishment. By the time adults notice the visible repercussions, such as financial loss, academic decline, or emotional distress, the gambling behavior may already be deeply entrenched, often with significant financial consequences already in place.
What role do smartphones, social media, group chats, and constant sports culture play in reinforcing this addiction cycle?
With the legalization and proliferation of betting apps, celebrity-driven commercials, a heavy social media presence featuring influencers flaunting “big wins,” and the normalization of gambling in everyday conversation, the landscape has completely changed.
Gambling is now instant, constant, and highly targeted to consumers. Algorithms on social media platforms, video-sharing apps, and online betting platforms repeatedly expose teens to betting-related content while the constant anticipation of reward and the excitement of risk-taking behaviors reinforce the cycle. That anticipation and dopamine rush mimic the brain’s reaction to chemical stimuli like alcohol or drugs, creating neural pathways where teens increasingly seek the behavior to trigger the reward system.
Teens are easily lured, behaviors are tracked, and they are bombarded by aggressive ads promising “easy money”. Prediction betting, sports apps, and fantasy sports have created a culture of acceptability, without understanding that the game is rigged and “the house” always wins.
What warning signs should parents, teachers, rabbanim, and youth leaders be watching for that may indicate a teen has developed a gambling problem?
The warning signs are similar to those of other mental health or addiction issues: changes in behavior, increased secrecy (especially around devices), mood swings, irritability, declining school performance, withdrawal from activities, or loss of interest in things your child once enjoyed. Additional red flags include preoccupation with sports odds, betting conversations, unexplained money needs, missing belongings, or constant checking of scores and statistics. We have seen youth as young as middle school betting items of value such as electronics or clothing, not only money. We have also seen significant losses hidden from parents who do not monitor accounts or spending activity.
What is the best first response upon discovering that a child is gambling or already in debt, and what mistakes should parents avoid?
The first step is recognizing that there is an issue rather than dismissing these behaviors as acceptable or merely a “phase”.
At CCSA parent workshops, we emphasize the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment where children can hopefully open up to their parents and confide concerns or issues when seeking help. While challenging, it is ideal to react calmly and without judgement, focusing on safety rather than punishment. A teen struggling with gambling often already feels desperation, shame, and a loss of control. Parents and educators should communicate any concerns they may have with compassion to establish trust. They should not be afraid to express their concerns, but make it clear that the main point of the conversation is their desire to help. If a parent is feeling angry, taking a step back and walking away from the discussion until it can be resumed calmly is more important than driving a point home in the moment.
Immediate priorities include assessing the extent of the gambling behaviors and any debt. An initial therapeutic evaluation can help determine the severity of the behaviors, the extent of any dependency, and if an addiction exists. A professional can also address any underlying emotional or mental health issues that may be driving this behavior and hopefully treat any co-occurring disorders such as anxiety or depression. Treatment may include a structured family plan aimed at restoring trust, preventing progression, and hopefully get the struggling teen on a positive track while equipping parents with tools to respond effectively.
Adults facing real financial loss must focus on preventing further harm. This may or may not involve covering losses for the teen, but any recovery plan should include clear accountability and boundaries that do not encourage continued gambling behavior.
What practical steps can parents, schools, yeshivot, camps, and shuls take to help prevent gambling addiction before it starts?
As noted earlier, teen gambling should not be dismissed as acceptable, normal, or harmless entertainment. It is essential to recognize how accessible and commonplace these activities have become and to understand the serious dangers they pose. As there is an increased risk of suicide among males with gambling addiction, the consequences of leaving these behaviors unchecked can be severe.
Prevention depends on early education, open dialogue, and consistent awareness across families, schools, camps, shuls, and other communal institutions.
CCSA’s prevention programs educate students, faculty, and parents about how gambling affects the brain and the real risks associated with these behaviors. We focus on developing healthy coping skills and resilience while teaching students to recognize the manipulative features built into betting apps and games. Parents are encouraged to set clear expectations around money and behavior and to maintain open conversations with their children about risk and responsibility. Additionally, early warning signs are emphasized so adults can intervene before problems escalate.
In addition to education and awareness, there are also practical preventive steps parents can take at home. Even before there might be an issue, we encourage parents to increase supervision around access to funds and devices, and check installed apps on their child’s phone. While many online companies require a minimum age of 21 (18 for prediction markets), accounts are either opened by adults for children, or kids use their parents’ information to do so. Be aware! Take note of the “red flags” mentioned earlier and don’t be afraid to express or explore any concerns you may have.
To learn more about CCSA’s differentiated prevention programs for students in 5th through 12th grade, as well as parent and faculty workshops, visit Jewish CCSA Prevention Programs. CCSA also offers a family support group for anyone who might have a loved one who struggles with addiction. For more information or to join, please email CCSA@ohelfamily.org.
Trained as a corporate and employment lawyer, Lianne Forman, together with her husband, Etiel, founded Confronting Substance Use & Addiction (CCSA) in 2018. Inspired by their family’s personal struggles and journey, they established CCSA to raise awareness and expand education around substance misuse and addiction within the Jewish community. CCSA’s mission is to eliminate stigma through educational programming, family support, and evidence-based prevention initiatives in schools. In 2020, the Orthodox Union’s Impact Accelerator, which supports Jewish entrepreneurs through education, coaching, and early-stage grants, selected CCSA as part of a cohort of innovative Jewish nonprofits poised to make a transformative impact on the North American Jewish communal landscape. CCSA became a division of Ohel Children’s Home and Family Services in 2023, expanding its reach in supporting the community’s social and emotional needs. Visit www.JewishCCSA.org for more information.