Problem Gambling Just the Facts Jim Pappas Executive Director Joanna Franklin Director of Training, Helpline and Prevention Services Pennsylvania Council on Compulsive Gambling www.pacouncil.com
Gambling is older than alcohol. Before prehistoric people learned about rotten grapes turning into joy juice they were gambling. Gambling has historically been the way we communicated with the gods- a way to divine the future. The Bible has several references to gambling. Tossing of lots were how decisions were made. Roman soldiers gambled at the foot of the cross for Christ s robe.
Gambling games have been found in the ancient pyramids, the oldest game found is a stone game from Africa still played today. Dice were found in the ruins at Pompeiiloaded dice were found in Pompeii. The fathers of our nation used public lotteries to finance the building of institutions like Harvard and Yale, churches and hospitals.
The US is going through the third wave of gambling now. The first was in colonial days when a lottery funded public projects. Cheating at such drawings ended the legality of the early lottery- they were all banned. Then pre-civil war we see the wild west, gambling halls, and riverboat gamblers plying their trade. More cheating and this too was banned. About 11 gamblers who refused to stop gambling were hung in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
The third, or current wave, began in the late 1930 s in a desert town called Las Vegas. What makes the third wave different and likely here to stay is the strict regulation of gambling games today. States want/need the $. Cheating, though possible, is very difficult. Horse racing, lotteries, casinos, stock market are very strictly regulated and those who play legally can be assured of a fair game. Today the gambling industry is part of corporate America.
About 75-86% of all adults in the US gamble at one time or another. Legal gambling in the US is over a $90 billion dollar/year profit making industry.(2008) Gambling is legal in all states but Hawaii and Utah. Gambling goes on in Hawaii and Utah in the Stock market, internet gambling, cruise ship casinos and with illegal gambling such as sports betting.
The Indian Gaming Act of 1988 now allows tribal casino gambling in 28 states instead of what used to be limited to Nevada and New Jersey. According to the NGISC* people that live within 50 miles of a casino are at higher risk for developing a gambling problem. National Gambling Impact Study Commission 1999. State Funded gambling treatment is available in about 32 states. APGSA 06
TERMS: Problem Gambling- is a descriptive term used to define those individuals with problems in their lives due to gambling. Pathological Gambling- is the clinical term for the Impulse Control Disorder defined in the DSM IV. (312.31) Prevalence- estimates indicate that about 1-3% of the adult population of the US has a serious gambling problem. This may be 3-5 million people. An additional 3% are at risk for developing a serious gambling problem.
DSM V Researchers agree that enough has been learned about the biogenetics, brain scans, neurobiology, and pharmacotherapy responses, to support the move from Impulse Control Disorder to the substance use and gambling use family of disorders as they will be described in the DSM V.
Often compared to addictions- pathological gambling effects young and old, male and female, all cultures, faiths and economic groups alike. More common among males than females, it seems women are catching up to males in states with machine gambling, slots, VLT s, poker machines etc. (Volberg 99, 03, Petry 05) The disorder seems to be more common among adolescents (at least double adult prevalence rates). (Volberg, Deverensky, Shaffer. Petry)
Recent and ongoing research by Silvia Martins PhD of Johns Hopkins University ( 09) indicates Baltimore City Youth experience an 11% prevalence rate for serious gambling problems. Teens nationally have a prevalence rate 2-3x s higher than that of adults at 1-3% (NGISC).
Problem and pathological gamblers seem to come in two general sub-types. Action Gamblers and Escape Gamblers Action gamblers: often male, competitive, play games of skill, seek the rush of gambling look like cocaine addicts (NIDA 87). Escape gamblers: often female, less competitive, passive, play luck games- seek escape- look more like narcotic addicts.
Co-occuring disorders and cross addictions are high among pathological gamblers presenting for care. Affect disorders: depressions, anxiety and bipolar disorder are concerns. Substance Abuse Disorders seem unusually common to the problem gambling population. Suicide attempt rates have been reported as alarmingly high.
Affect disorders: depressions- 40-60% of gamblers presenting for care, Anxiety and bipolar disorder- perhaps 10-15% of gamblers presenting for care. ADD- 30% in one V.A. study, Substance Abuse Disorders- 30-60% of gamblers in treatment and, 10-30% of addicts in treatment may have a gambling problem. Suicidal ideation among GA members in some studies is as high as 80-97%. Attempt rates 15-20%. NRC 99
Growing numbers of gambling problems among: Adolescents Older Adults Women People of Color Lower Income populations Those with lower educations ( high school or less than high school) (Volberg 2000)
Public Awareness messages, Prevention messages and Program Evaluation are areas still being developed in the problem gambling field. Though recognized by the NFL, NCAA, MLB, the Gaming Industry, Several Unions and large Businesses- the US has no coordinated or federally funded comprehensive leadership in addressing problem gambling.
Without insurance parity gamblers with jobs and insurance are still refused coverage under their mental health benefits. Without federal protections gamblers with security clearances, licenses, bonds etc. stay quiet about a disorder that would cost them their jobs if acknowledged. Professional and college athletes stay quiet for fear of losing their careers. The secret stays hidden, services under utilized, and lives, careers, families, finances disrupted or lost.
Recent gains for problem gambling services have come either directly or indirectly from lottery funding, casino or new state funding. The gaming industry has taken on the task of recommending responsible gaming by providing responsible play programs. Helpline funding, PSA s, training programs, treatment funding, public awareness and prevention efforts contribute significant care in several, but not all, states.
Problem Gambling Fund Allocation APGSA 2-10 survey
Per Capita Services Allocation APGSA 2-10 survey
RESOURCES: Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pa. Helpline 800-848-1880, 800-GAMBLER, 800-522-4700 Gamblers Anonymous and GamAnon www.gamblersanonymous.org The National Council on Problem Gambling www.ncpgambling.org National Problem Gambling Awareness Week www.npgaw.org Association of Problem Gambling Service Administrators www.apgsa.org McGill University- International Centre for Youth Gambling and High Risk Behaviors Rina.Gupta@McGill.ca