GAMBLING ADDICTION

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GAMBLING ADDICTION THE WORKPLACE
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Goals for this presentation

• Understand issues related to gambling and
  workplace fraud/embezzlement
• Learn the signs of a gambling problem
• Explore the causes of problem gambling
• Discuss ways to address problem gambling at the
  workplace
• Become familiarize with resources to address
  problem gambling

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Gambling Fraud

• Why should we care?

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Theft ends up a bad gamble

• 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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Why is Gambling Related Crime a Growing Concern?

• The issue of problem gambling is a growing
  concern

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Gambling Industry is Growing
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Gambling in Oregon is Growing

• 2002 Oregonians spent 1.18 billion on all
  forms of gambling, 447 per adult 25
  more than the national average
• 2003 Legislation made way for a 20 increase
  in Video Lottery Terminals
• 2004 A ninth tribal casino opened in Oregon
• 2005 The Lottery expanded into video slots
• 2006 Lottery exceeds 1 billion in sales, video
  lottery sales up 24 over previous year
• Source Eco Northwest, 2005

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Societal Acceptance More Gamblers

• Industry perpetuates a vision of gambling as
  entertaining, glamorous and as a means of
  achieving financial freedom.
• Recent surge in reality TV gambling shows

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More Gamblers, More Problem Gamblers

• Prevalence of gambling disorders
• is a function of the overall level of gambling
  participation

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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 is Problem Gambling?

• Gambling continuum
• Definitions
• Signs symptoms

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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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• 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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Problem gambling defined

• All patterns of gambling behavior that
  compromise, disrupt, or damage personal, family
  or vocational pursuits.

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Indicators of problem gambling

• Increase in gambling time and places
• Increase in size of bets
• Working up special occasions for gambling
• Intensity of interest in gambling
• Boasting wins evading loses
• Exaggerated display of money and other
  possessions

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More Indicators

• Gambling when there is a crisis
• Drop off in other activities/interests
• Frequent absences from school, work and home
• Excessive phone use
• Withdrawal from family
• Personality changes (irritability/hostility)
• Diversion of funds earmarked for other purposes

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Pathological Gambling

• Synonymous with compulsive, addicted,
  clinical, diagnosable and Level 3
• Classified in DSM-IV as an Impulse Control
  Disorder
• Diagnostic criteria is similar to that of
  Substance Abuse/Dependence

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What Causes Problem Gambling

• Public Health Model

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What Causes Gambling Problems?

• Host (Gambler) Agent (Gambling Device)
• -genetics -speed of play
  -biology -bet size
• -coping style -control
• -psychological -stimulus load
• vulnerabilities -reinforcement
• -traits structure
• Environment
• Social culture, political culture, gaming
  venue, family culture, availability,
  environmental stressors

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Interactions Among the Host, Agent, and
Environment

• The causes of problem gambling are complex and
  may emanate from diverse sources
• a mix of individual traits
• social and economic circumstances
• overall community environment
• Commission, 1998

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Workplace Interventions
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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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Effects on the workplace

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

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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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What can organizations do?

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

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Resources
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Free awareness resources503-945-9703

• Speakers
• Videos
• Handouts
• Posters and brochures

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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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Treatment in Oregon

• Continuum of Care
• Gambling Evaluation and Reduction Program (GEAR)
• Corrections Program
• 27 outpatient treatment centers
• 3 crisis-respite programs
• 1 residential treatment program

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Conclusions

• Problem gambling is a real and growing concern
  for security professionals and others.
• Effects about 1 in 37 adults.
• We need to implement measures to address problem
  gambling in the workplace.
• Policies, increase awareness
• Resources are available.
• Utilize your local resources