PROBLEM GAMBLING

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PROBLEM GAMBLING THE WORKPLACE what problem
gambling prevention/outreach coordinators need to
know
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The data says we need to look at this issue

• Statewide annual report shows that
• many problem gamblers are employed
• Approximately 50 were working full-time (males
  more likely than females)
• Average Household Income 36,495

3
The data says we need to look at this issue
Workplaces are not aware Society for Human
Resource Management 19 percent have formal
policy on workplace gambling Office pools
tolerated in more than seven out of 10
workplaces.
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The data says we need to look at this issue

• Most of us arent working with workplaces recent
  AD 80 annual reports showed 0 in the workplace
  column

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Problem gambling and the workplace

• Woman gets 15 months for stealing 785,000
  from her employer.
• Former assistant manager, First American Title
  Insurance of Portland, embezzled 800,000 between
  2001-05, sentenced to 15 months federal prison.
• Portland Tribune - April 20, 2007

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Embezzlers sentenced 8 years

• West Linn- During sentencing for stealing 1.4
  million, the citys former finance chief talks of
  terrible shame
• The Oregonian,
• November 18, 2006

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More Stories of Gambling Related Embezzlement

• Aloha woman, stole more than 900,000 from her
  employer, US Bank, sentenced to 27 months.
• Washington County woman, embezzled 275,000 from
  EasyStreet Online Services, sentenced to state
  prison.

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• Problem Gamblers
• often high functioning and bright
• usually employed
• often not the typical user of social services
• enter treatment later
• easier to hide no obvious physical signs of
  addiction, nor physical limitations to the
  process (i.e. dont OD from too much gambling )

Pam Former Credit Union VP (incarcerated for
embezzlement)
Sandy 4th grade teacher
Jane
Grandma stole 250K to gamble
Warren Cornell University Economics Degree
Source National Council on Problem Gambling
voices of recovery http//www.ncpgambling.org/
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The More Problem Gamblers, the More Gambling
Related Crimes

• Moore Marotta ( 2006).
• 43 of women and 38 of men entering gambling
  treatment reported so have committed an illegal
  act related to their gambling.
• Smith, Wynne, Hartnagel (2003)
• Gambling related crime was responsible for 2.7
  of Edmonton police records in 2001.
• National Gambling Impact Study Commission
  (1999).
• A third of problem and pathological gamblers had
  been arrested, compared to 10 of low-risk
  gamblers and 4 of non-gamblers

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What do employers need to know?

• That PG affects their workplace
• Free resources, including treatment, available
  across the State
• How to incorporate into their existing programs

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Workplace partners

• Human resources
• Benefits
• Risk management
• Labor relations
• Labor unions
• EAP and mental health benefits
• Workplace wellness
• Others??

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Ideas for incorporating PG into workplaces

• Add to policies, procedures and materials
  regarding
• health/safety
• IT (internet issues)
• HR
• Make sure EAP is able to screen and knows about
  free treatment
• Supervisor and employee training should include
  info on pg

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Workplace Interventions
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Continuum of gambling behavior
No Gambling
Experimentation
Social
At-Risk
Problem
Pathological
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
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Effects on the workplace

• The workplace is primarily affected through
• Lost Time
• Lost Productivity
• Theft, Fraud and Embezzlement

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Co-workers are often the first line of defense

• The workplace is used as a shield to hide the
  problem gambling from family members.
• The challenge is to identify the problem gambler
  before they become desperate.
• It is important that all
• employers and employees
• develop a greater
• awareness of the signs
• associated with
• a gambling problem.

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Workplace signs of a gambling problem

• Work performance deteriorates
• pre-occupied
• trouble concentrating
• absent or late for meetings
• misses assignment deadlines.
• Frequent unexplained absences or disappearances
  from work.
• Eager to organize and participate in betting
  opportunities.

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Workplace signs of a gambling problem

• Frequently borrows money, argues with co-workers
  about money that is owed to them.
• Complains about mounting debts.
• Excessive use of the telephone for personal
  calls.
• Experiences mood swings, often related to winning
  and losing streaks.
• Credit card or loan bills are mailed to work
  rather than home.

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Workplace signs of a gambling problem

• Increasingly spends more time gambling during
  lunch hours and coffee breaks.
• Pay is requested in lieu of vacation time
• False claims are made against expense accounts.
• Theft of property.

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What can organizations do?

• Policy statements
• Provide awareness training
• Make financial counseling available
• Monitor the money stream

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What can supervisors do?

• Express concerns in a caring and supportive
  manner
• Use work-related observations
• Explain how the problem affects you
• Be clear about your position
• Respect personal boundaries
• Provide information, not advice
• Be prepared for denial or a hostile reaction

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• Problem Gambling Help Line
• Free and confidential staffed by professional
  counselors
• Phone 1 (877) MY LIMIT
• Online 1877mylimit.org (chat, IM, email)

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Free awareness resources

• Speakers
• Videos
• Handouts
• Posters and brochures
• Sample policies