Gambling represents a worrying phenomenon among Italian adolescents, with about 40 percent of students aged 15 to 19 involved in gambling activities.
This study, conducted as part of the “Bet it all on yourself” project promoted by the Pathological Addiction Services (ASL RM5), evaluated the effectiveness of a psycho-educational intervention aimed at raising young people’s awareness of the risks of gambling and enhancing their critical awareness.
A total of 2,836 pre- and post-intervention questionnaires were administered in grade I and II secondary schools in four territories (Colleferro, Palestrina, Tivoli-Guidonia, Monterotondo).
Results showed a signifi cant increase in the perception of gambling as a risky behavior, greater awareness of the random mechanisms of gambling, and improvement in emotion management.
However, some gender discrepancies and an increase in honest responses about gambling experiences were observed.
The study underscores the importance of continuous and differentiated preventive interventions to counter the phenomenon of pathological gambling among adolescents.