Problem Gambling

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Problem Gambling

• Developed by
• Mary A. Lay, MPH, CHES, CPP
• Jennifer Kelley, MPH, CHES, CPP

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Gambling

• To bet money on the outcome of a game, contest,
  or other event. Playing a game of chance.
• To wager money or something of material value on
  an event with an uncertain outcome with the
  primary intent of winning additional money and/or
  material goods.

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Problem Gambling

• is an urge to gamble despite harmful negative
  consequences or a desire to stop.

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Problem Gambling

• Extreme cases of problem gambling can lead to
  mental disorders, such as pathological gambling,
  categorized in the DSM-IV

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Pathological Gambling

• is an impulse control disorder that is a chronic
  and progressive mental illness.
• An impulse control disorder is a brain disorder
  whose main feature is impulsivity- seeking a
  small, short-term gain at the expense of a large,
  long-term loss.

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Problem Gambling
Impulse Control Disorders
Sexual Predators
Others not classified Kleptomania Pathological
Gambling Pyromania
Addiction
Substance Abuse
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Gambling Continuum
The Problem Gambling Continuum differentiates
levels of risk into No Risk, Low Risk, Moderate
Risk, and High Risk. Gambling problems are least
likely to develop in the No Risk category, and
most likely to develop in the High Risk category.
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Youth Gambling and Problem Gambling

• Gambling behavior can best be understood and
  measured along a continuum of risk.
• The continuum ranges from no gambling to social
  gambling to problem and pathological gambling
• While most of us gamble responsibly, some of us
  fail to control our level of playing, or are
  unable to stop and fail to set and maintain
  reasonable limits.
• Problem gambling is a growing concern among
  children and youth.

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Gambling Problems
Korn Shaffer, 99
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• There are two types of gamblers action and
  escape gamblers.

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Action Gamblers

• Action gamblers
• Prefer games of skill, such as poker, blackjack,
  or sports betting.
• Are typically males that began gambling early in
  life.
• Describe gambling experiences as euphoric and
  comparable to being high.

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Escape Gamblers

• Escape gamblers
• Prefer games of luck, such as slot machines,
  video poker, or playing the lottery.
• Are typically females that began gambling later
  in life.
• Describe gambling experiences as hypnotic or
  numbing.
• Use gambling to escape from other problems.

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Youth Gambling Prevalence Nationally

• 86-93 of adolescents have gambled for money
• 75 of children have gambled in their own homes
• 85 of parents do not object to their gambling
• Derevensky, Gupta, Winters, Journal of Gambling
  Studies, 2003

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Youth Gambling Prevalence Indiana

• Compared to 2006, the proportion of respondents
  who reported any gambling behavior declined
  significantly in all grades except 7th.
• 7th graders were more likely to have reported
  gambling than 6th graders, and 8th graders were
  more likely to have reported gambling than 7th
  graders.
• 12th graders were the most likely to report
  having gambled.
• Males reported significantly more gambling than
  females.

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Commonalities of youth who become problem gamblers

• History of gambling in the family children of
  parents who gamble are nearly twice as likely to
  be weekly or daily gamblers than children whose
  parents don't gamble.
• Problems at home
• Low self-esteem
• Peer pressure

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Commonalities of youth who become problem
gamblers (cont.)

• Loneliness/depression/boredom
• Competition/risk
• Escape from reality
• Coping mechanism from life's problems
• To gain attention from peers
• To win money (however, for adolescents with
  gambling problems, money is the vehicle, not the
  reason, for gambling)

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Exposure to Gambling

• Texas Hold em games for Game Players
• Texas Holdem Yahtzee
• Bunko
• Cards with Characters
• Hand Held Games-Blackjack, Roulette
• Raffles
• Casino Night After Proms (often billed as a
  Drug-Free Event)

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Risk Factors for Youth Problem Gambling

• History of gambling in family
• Family history of alcoholism
• Exposure to gambling at young age
• Family that overemphasizes money, competition
• Early big win
• Low self-esteem
• ADHD/hyperactivity
• Other addiction/behavior issues

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Protective Factors for Youth Problem Gambling

• Support (family, community, school)
• Positive outlook
• Realistic boundaries and expectations
• Internal control
• High self-esteem
• Constructive use of time/contributing
• Good problem solving skills

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40 Developmental Assets and High-Risk Behaviors
Source The Search Institute
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Teen Problem Gamblers have higher rates of

• Crime (theft, robbery, embezzlement)
• School problems (e.g., lower grades, truancy,
  behavior issues)
• Family problems (e.g., withdrawal, behavior
  issues)
• Peer relationship problems
• Legal and money troubles
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts and attempts
• Dissociative, "escape" behaviors
• Risk for other addiction(s), including alcohol
  and substance abuse

Sources Gupta Derevensky 1998a Gupta
Derevensky, 1998b Vitaro, Ferland, Jacques
Ladouceur, 1998 Wallisch Liu, 1996 Winters
Anderson, 2000 Wynne, Smith, Jacobs, 1996.
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Gambling-Substance Abuse Compared

• Similarities
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Tolerance
• Self-help groups
• Loss of control
• Preoccupation
• Negative impact on major life areas

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Gambling-Substance Abuse Compared

• Differences
• Gambling is not self-limiting
• Behavior is not attributable to intoxication
• Unpredictable outcome
• Fantasies of success
• Easier to hide
• Greater financial problems
• Intensity of family anger
• Less public awareness and acceptance

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Compare Youth Gambling and Drug Use (Prior Year)

• Found lifetime alcohol use a strong predictor for
  gambling
• Youth were 3x more likely to never have gambled
  if they have never used drugs
• Youth were 3.8x more likely to be a weekly/daily
  gambler if there were a weekly/daily user of
  drugs
• Winters and Anderson, Journal of Gambling
  Studies, Vol 16, No 2/3, 2000

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Gambling Behavior and Gateway Drug Use
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Three key points you should know about gambling

• Gambling is not a safe alternative to alcohol or
  drug use.  Many people think that poker cards
  among friends is totally safe because young
  people are not drinking or smoking. The truth is,
  while most people don't have problems when they
  gamble, more young people are developing problems
  with gambling. Consequences of problem gambling
  include more than lost money. Depression, social
  withdrawal, and school dropout are just a few of
  the consequences of a gambling problem.

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Three key points you should know about gambling
(cont.)

• Many teens already have gambling problems.  It
  may only be a harmless bet of a dollar or two,
  but it can become a lot more serious.
• Teens are only a few years away from being adults
  who can gamble legally.  Honest education about
  gambling is important to preparing young people
  to make responsible choices.

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Contact Us

• Indiana Problem Gambling Awareness Program
• 501 N. Morton Street, Suite 110
• Bloomington, IN 47404
• Phone [phone] or 812-855-1237
• Fax [phone]
• E-mail ipgap_at_indiana.edu
• Web www.ipgap.indiana.edu
• The Indiana Problem Gambling Awareness Program
  is funded by the Indiana Problem Gamblers
  Assistance Fund
• The Indian Problem Gambling Awareness Program is
  located at the Indiana Prevention Resource Center
  at Indiana University.