News Release: 2025 Gift Responsibly Campaign
The Minnesota Alliance for Problem Gambling and the Minnesota Lottery Join 2025 Gift Responsibly Campaign to Raise Awareness of Youth
ROSEVILLE, Minn. (Nov. 25, 2025) – The Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling and the Minnesota Lottery today announced their continued participation in the 2025 Gift Responsibly Campaign, joining lotteries and community organizations across North America and around the world to raise awareness about the risks of underage lottery use. 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 supports that early exposure to or 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 a lottery product, such as lottery tickets or scratch offs. Often these items are given to a child by an adult who is unaware of the associated risks.
The Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling is pleased to continue its longstanding partnership with the Minnesota Lottery in building the public’s awareness around the issue of underage gambling. “We can no longer be in denial regarding early exposure. In conjunction with the Gift Responsibly campaign which focuses on educating adults about the potential harms of providing youth with lottery tickets, MNAPG will also offer messaging throughout the year focused on “Too Young To Bet”, said Susan Sheridan Tucker, MNAPG Executive Director and NCPG Board of Directors member. “We need adults to understand the rapid insertion of gambling elements in video games and the general normalization of gambling. If we’re not talking about the risks as well, we are setting some of our youth up for potential addiction.”
As a participant of the 2025 Gift Responsibly Campaign, during the months of November and December, the Minnesota Lottery will work to promote awareness about the risks of underage lottery use through social media and in-store signage. “As we celebrate the holidays and share the joy of giving, we want to remind everyone that lottery tickets are meant for adults to enjoy. The thrill of playing the lottery is best enjoyed responsibly, and that means not gifting tickets to anyone under 18. A lottery ticket is a fun and exciting gift for adults,” said Adam Prock, Minnesota Lottery Executive Director.
“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 Minnesota Lottery and Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling for joining this effort and working to expand education and awareness to protect young people from gambling-related harm.”
As communities celebrate year-end holidays, MNAPG will be reminding adults through social media posts, digital ads and written articles alternatives to buying lottery tickets as a gift for a young person and the reasons why. For more information about youth gambling and ways adults can begin to talk to their youth about potential harms in gambling and gaming, please visit MNAPG’s website www.mnapg.org.
About Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling
Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling (MNAPG) is a nonprofit, gambling-neutral organization dedicated to improving the lives of Minnesotans affected by problem gambling. A 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, MNAPG is funded by financial and in-kind donations, state and private grants. MNAPG serves as Minnesota’s affiliate to the National Council on Problem Gambling.
About The Minnesota Lottery
The Minnesota Lottery raises money for programs that positively impact the lives of Minnesotans. It offers Minnesotan games of chance that are held to the highest standard of integrity and security. Since 1990, the Lottery has returned more than $4.1 billion to programs that benefit all Minnesotans, including the state’s most precious natural resources, education, health care and more.
About the National Council on Problem Gambling
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.
Contact:
Minnesota Lottery, pr@mnlottery.com
Susan Sheridan Tucker, Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling, sstucker@mnapg.org, 612-424-8595 x1