A Theatre to Go production shows students the dangers of gambling. Around 300 students at Arthur Voaden Secondary School watched Caught in the Game, a play aimed at young people to warned them about the risks and dangers of gambling. Theatre to Go tours around Ontario high schools. Around 90,000 students have already watched their plays.
The Responsible Gambling Council brought the production to students. According to them, young people are at risk of developing gambling addictions at twice than other collectives. Actually, a great number of students that watched the play admitted to have gambled or have friends that gamble. Darcie Conway, executive director of Theatre to Go said that the play shows them what could happen to them if they become addicted to gambling. It teaches them how to avoid the risks of getting addicted and where to find help if they eventually fall into gambling addictions. Conway added that what the play gives them is basically information for them to be able to make intelligent choices in life.
Caught in the Game tells the story of Eric, an undergraduate student that loves martial arts and hanging out with his friends. He loves scratch tickets too. One day, Eric meets Tom, a fun guy that loves high-risk poker games and sports betting. He draws Eric into them, which even gets him out of martial arts competition. Eric quickly loses control and gets caught in the game.
Lori Cater, a youth addictions counsellor at Thames Valleys Addiction Services, said that around 30.000 youngsters have gambling problems, but very few seek help or treatment, because gambling does not seem to be a risk for youth unlike drugs or alcohol. However, every time more and more young people are drawn into Texas Holdem Poker or sports betting. Actually, many students that watched the play admitted to attend poker nights or have friends that enjoy dice betting every once in a while.
