The Orchard Park Central School District will host Emerging Trends in Youth Gambling, presented by Shanley Olszowy, Program Manager with the Problem Gambling Resource Center.

This event is part of the Orchard Park Central School District’s Community Engagement Series and marks the first event of the 2025–2026 school year. It will take place on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Orchard Park Middle School. The event is free and open to the public.

The presentation will explore the latest developments in youth gambling, with a focus on the growing accessibility of online gambling through apps and social media. It will also examine the increasingly blurred lines between gambling and gaming, an overlap that has contributed to greater exposure to gambling advertisements, the normalization of gambling as entertainment, and a surge in esports betting. Research shows esports betting is closely linked to higher rates of gambling-related problems among young people.

Participants will gain valuable insights, including:

• An understanding of the connection between their interests and youth gambling prevention
• A clear definition of problem gambling
• Insight into how technology is shaping new gambling behaviors
• Awareness of online gambling opportunities targeting youth
• Knowledge of youth as a vulnerable population
• Recognition of common warning signs of gambling problems
• Tools and strategies to support prevention efforts

The session will be led by Shanley Olszowy, who has been a Program Manager with the Problem Gambling Resource Center for 2 years. She holds a B.A. in History from Canisius University and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Sciences from the University at Buffalo.

Community members, parents, and educators are encouraged to attend this important event to learn more about how gambling trends are impacting youth and what can be done to prevent problem gambling.