They’re Saying No To These Gifts In New York State

The Holidays are here and the countdown to Christmas has officially started. Kids across New York State are sending letters to Santa and dreaming of the perfect gift that they might find under the tree.

Christmas in New York State is special. Typically, there is a good amount of snow on the ground and if you get a fun gift like a sled, or skis, there are plenty of places to use them!

But here in New York, lawmakers and officials are reminding families about at certain gift that might keep on giving in the wrong way.

When you think about a last minute gift for anyone under 18, New York State wants to make sure it is not a lottery ticket. Although scratch off tickets can be fun, they could lead to an addiction.

On the website, gaming.ny.gov, it is reported that, “New York Lottery games are intended to provide responsible fun and entertainment for adults – not kids,” said Gaming Commission Chair Brian O’Dwyer. “Research shows that the earlier a person begins gambling, the more likely they are to develop a gambling problem. That’s why we urge all New Yorkers to keep lottery tickets out of the hands of minors and to play responsibly throughout the year".

The chances for a white Christmas as good this year as much of New York State has lots of snow on the ground. A bit of a thaw with rain is coming this weekend. However, with more than 5 feet of lake effect snow on the ground in some places, it won't have much of an impact on the snowpack.