T.A.G., Teens About Gambling, is an organization started by the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling and the North Brookfield Youth Center with the intent of informing teens about the risks and consequences of gambling.  It is believed that if teens know the risks and consequences of gambling they will be more likely to make smarter decisions involving gambling in the future.  The T.A.G. group is directed by Jim Wuelfing, Prevention Director with the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling, and Marty Toomey, the Executive Director of the North Brookfield Youth Center. One of our first tasks was to create vision and mission statements.

Our Vision Statement is: We envision a Massachusetts where all teens are empowered to make responsible gambling decisions thus reducing the negative consequences to themselves, their family, and their community.

Our Mission Statement is: We seek to accomplish our vision by raising awareness about problem gambling, providing information and skill development that supports responsible decision making, providing resources and information, and empowering other teen groups to do the same.

One of our main methods of informing teens about the risks and consequences of gambling is by creating videos.  We also present at conferences.  Another way we will accomplish our goal is by encouraging the formation of other T.A.G. groups, which will have a similar purpose.We have many hopes for the future of T.A.G.  Our main hope for the future is that more T.A.G. groups will be formed throughout the United States with the same goal as ours.  This would mean that more teens would be informed about the risks and consequences of gambling.

For more information visit www.masscompulsivegambling.org or click here to read their E-News.