Teen Gamblers: A Case Study of Arrested Child and Adolescent Gamblers in a province in Northeastern of Thailand

Abstract

This article aims to, first, study gambling characteristics and behaviors, gambling environment, and gambling conditions that motivate teenagers to gamble until they were arrested and then prosecuted. This study also aims to propose policies for teenager gambling prevention and solution. By using qualitative method, the data collection involved interviewing with 22 case studies of arrested teenagers and their related persons. Results of the study reveal that children and youths of those case studies have gone through different gambling and arresting experiences. Environmental and situational conditions in areas where the teenagers live has motivated them to easily get involved in gambling. The arrested children and youths were prosecuted according to Thai laws. Some of the arrested interviewees have denied that they did not gamble but they were only present in the gambling scene thus they were also arrested. Many of them were shocked and scared at the first time of being arrested and in jail. Some of the arrested and their families did not understand prosecution processes. Thus, it is highly imperative that gambling understanding and gambling literacy need to be developed for those of the youths, families, communities, as well as relevant organizations.