Help Your Child
Navigate Sports Betting and Online Gambling
Support for parents of teens and young adults navigating sports betting and online gambling — with clarity, discretion, and no pressure to act before you’re ready.
Private, judgment‑free support for families facing sports betting problems and youth gambling addiction.
Linda Uphoff is a Youth Gambling Specialist with firsthand family experience navigating problem gambling.
THE PROBLEM IS REAL AND THE NUMBERS DON’T LIEYouth Gambling Is More Common
— and More Serious — Than Most Parents Realize
Sports betting and online gambling are now part of everyday life for teens and young adults. What many parents don’t realize is how early gambling behaviors can begin — and how quickly they can escalate.
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Early Onset
Gambling disorders can begin in children as young as 10 years old
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Higher Risk in Youth
Problem gambling impacts 4–8% of youth, compared to about 1% of adults
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Widespread Exposure
By high school, 60–80% of students have gambled at least once in the past year
Gambling in teens and young adults is also associated with higher-risk outcomes:
Teens who gamble are more likely to use illegal drugs
Among all addictions, gambling is linked to the highest suicide rate
IS THIS MORE THAN A PHASE?When “Just for Fun” Starts to
Look Like a Real Problem
What often begins as casual betting with friends can quietly shift into problem gambling. Many parents don’t recognize the line until it has already been crossed.
But you might be here because you’ve noticed:
Money missing or unexplained charges linked to betting or “fantasy” apps.
Mood swings tied to wins and losses, or staying up late to sweat every game he has money on.
Hiding their phone, changing passwords, or getting defensive when you ask about online sports betting.
Grades slipping, skipped classes, showing up late for work, or losing interest in normal life.
Lying about how much he’s gambling or downplaying how serious his sports betting losses really are.
THE GOOD NEWSTime is on your side.
Research consistently shows that family involvement and encouragement are among the strongest motivators for change — and that early support leads to better outcomes.
Whether this is a phase, or something more serious...
You don’t have to figure anything out on your own.
THE PROBLEM IS REAL AND THE NUMBERS DON’T LIEI help parents see a clear, steady path
to navigate all stages and forms of Youth Gambling
Whether your teen is engaging in Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS), Sports Wagering, Skins Betting, Video Games, Loot Boxes, eSports Betting or traditional forms (like cards, lottery, and slots), everything starts with a simple consultation.
Parent Consultation
– Your First Step
A 20-minute, confidential conversation focused on your concerns about your child’s gambling behavior.
We talk through what you’re noticing at home
We connect those observations to real warning signs
You get 1–3 practical next steps you can use right away
Ongoing Support
for Parents
Regular support for parents living with the stress, fear, and uncertainty of a child’s gambling.
Learn how to talk about gambling without escalating conflict
Set clear, realistic boundaries around money and access
Get support for your own emotional health while navigating this
2‑Day Intensive for Families in Crisis
A focused, two-day experience for families facing serious gambling losses and breakdowns in trust.
We slow everything down and untangle what’s happening
We create a structured, realistic plan for recovery and stability
This option is available only after a consultation, when we agree it’s the right fit
No matter how bad the sports betting or problem gambling feels right now, every path begins with a quiet, honest conversation.
Hi, I’m Linda
LPC Associate, ICGC-I, MA, MBA, NCC Under the supervision of Sandy Stillo, PhD, LPC-S
Beyond my credentials and professional training, I came to this work through personal experience that showed me how confusing and overwhelming gambling can be for families.
I understand what it’s like to notice subtle changes, to feel concerned without having clear answers yet, and to wonder how serious something really is — especially when sports betting and online gambling are involved.
This s what led me to specialize in youth gambling, sports betting problems, and family-centered recovery.
ABOUT ME
What I focus on…
Helping parents understand
the warning signs of sports
betting addiction and
problem gambling in teens
and college students.
Guiding families through the emotional fallout of gambling problems: secrecy, broken trust, shame, anger, and fear.
Creating realistic, compassionate plans for change that protect your teen and your home.
You don’t have to show up with perfect words or a perfect family.
You just have to show up as a parent who cares.
I’ll help with the language, the structure, and the next right step.
If any of this feels aligned with what you’re experiencing right now,
it’s time to talk about what’s happening in your home.
WHAT WORKING TOGETHER LOOKS LIKEFrom Quiet Worry to a Concrete Plan
Here’s what it usually looks like when we work together on your teen’s gambling and betting
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STEP 1
Share What’s Really Happening
In your parent consultation, you talk through what you’ve been seeing — gambling apps, losses, secrecy, mood changes, and shifts at school or work. You finally get space to say it out loud.
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STEP 2
Get a Clear Read on Risk
We look at patterns, frequency, and impact to understand whether this looks like experimentation, problem gambling, or something more serious.
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STEP 3
Build a Plan You Can Actually Use
You leave with a realistic plan — how to communicate, what boundaries to set, how to protect finances, and what support options make sense now.
There is no pressure to commit to anything long‑term. The point of this first step is clarity, not guilt.
NOT READY TO TALK YET?Start With the
Gambling Control Score.
If speaking with someone feels like too much right now, you can begin with a quick Gambling Control Score designed for parents of teens and young adults.
In just a few minutes, you’ll answer questions about gambling frequency, financial impact, and how gambling may be affecting school, work, and relationships.
You’ll receive a simple result showing whether the risk appears low, moderate, or high. It’s not a diagnosis — just a clearer picture of what you may be dealing with.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No.
The first parent consultation is just for you.
You get space to be honest about your son’s sports betting, gambling losses, and behavior without worrying about how he will react. -
Yes.
I treat your situation with the same care I wanted for my own family.
Your fears, your son’s gambling details, and your next steps are handled with discretion and respect. -
I focus on youth gambling and problem gambling in all its forms, with special expertise in online sports betting.
That can include casino apps, fantasy sports, online poker, and other digital gambling behaviors that often go hand‑in‑hand.
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You don’t need to have the right label before you reach out.
We’ll look at how much he’s betting, how much he’s lost, and how gambling is affecting his life.
Together, we’ll place it on the spectrum from experimentation to serious problem gambling. -
This is incredibly common with youth gambling and sports betting addiction.
Even if he says “I’m fine” or shuts down, you can still get support.
You can learn how to protect your home, set boundaries, and stay connected without enabling the gambling.
You Don’t Need to Have All the Answers to Take the First Step.
What I offer isn't a self-help program or a list of resources to sort through on your own. It's one-on-one support—real conversations with someone who understands what you're facing and can help you figure out what to do next.
Whether you're just starting to worry or already in crisis, I'm here to help you cut through the confusion and find a clear path forward.
