Gambling Among Children and Youth in Serbia: The Epidemic Devouring Generations!
Did you know that the average age of people undergoing treatment for gambling addiction in Serbia is only 23 years? Yes, you read that right! Young people, children, and teenagers are increasingly falling into the gambling trap, and the problem is exploding faster than anyone can react.
Devastating statistics no one can ignore
In the last five years, the number of gambling addicts has increased by a staggering 30%! And this is not just a number – behind every gambler stands an entire family, because gambling destroys not only the individual but also their loved ones. The youngest patients at the SOS addiction treatment center are only 18 years old, and children as young as 13-15 years start experimenting with betting slips, thinking it’s easy money. But they quickly realize it’s just the beginning of hell.
Gambling is not a game – it’s an addiction that ruins lives
Jelena Manojlović from the SOS center warns that gambling must not be seen as harmless fun. Games of chance are not games – they are traps with a huge risk of addiction. Kids have no jobs, no families, no responsibility, and no sense of consequences. Meanwhile, our most famous athletes, actors, and singers appear on billboards promoting betting, and kids soak up these messages like sponges.
Betting ads are everywhere – even schoolyards are not spared!
Just imagine – schoolyards fenced with betting ads! Kids unconsciously absorb these messages, and social media amplifies the influence even more. Teodora Borozan from Kurir TV points out that children’s idols promote gambling, which is catastrophic for the country’s future.
Gambling destroys more families than drug addiction and alcoholism combined!
Did you know that gambling destroys more families than drug addiction and alcoholism? This is not just a statistic – these are lives, dreams, and the future of our children. The average age of patients treated at the SOS center is only 23 years, and the problem starts much earlier. Kids take money for snacks, thinking they’ll make easy cash, but soon fall into debt and addiction.
Who’s to blame? The state, parents, public figures?
The Puls Srbije show on Kurir TV opened many questions about the roles of parents, the state, and public figures. Jelena Manojlović clearly says – gambling must stop being seen as harmless fun. Urgent education and responsibility from all of us are needed. If we don’t act now, we will lose generations.
What can we do?
Prevention is key! Educating children, parental responsibility, banning betting ads near schools and on social media, and stronger state control are essential. We cannot allow our children to become the next victims of this dangerous addiction.
Conclusion: Serbia’s future is at risk!
Gambling is not just an individual problem – it’s a social problem affecting the whole country. With an average treatment age of only 23, it’s clear that urgent action is needed. If we don’t want to watch our children fall apart, we must all come together and say STOP to this epidemic.
So, dear readers, what do you think? Is gambling really harmless fun or a dangerous trap? Share your thoughts, tell your story, or just drop a sarcastic comment – this topic deserves loud and clear discussion!
