International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors Youth behaviours: alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and gambling Carl Robertson, MA

International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors

Youth behaviours: alcohol, tobacco, Youth behaviours: alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and gamblingother drugs and gambling

Carl Robertson, MACarl Robertson, MASmart Choices Program Smart Choices Program

ManagerManagerCouncil on Compulsive Council on Compulsive

Gambling of PA, IncGambling of PA, Inc

SponsorSponsorCommonwealth Prevention Commonwealth Prevention

AllianceAlliance

July, 2012July, 2012


““The subject of gambling is all encompassing. The subject of gambling is all encompassing. It combines man's natural play instinct with his It combines man's natural play instinct with his desire to know about his fate and his future.desire to know about his fate and his future.” ”

~Franz Rosenthal~Franz Rosenthal


If you bet on a horse, that’s gambling.

If you bet you can make three spades, that’s entertainment.

If you bet cotton will go up three points, that’s business.

What’s the difference?

Gambling is any activity or game where you risk Gambling is any activity or game where you risk something of value or money on an outcome that is something of value or money on an outcome that is not guaranteed.not guaranteed.


History of US GamblingHistory of US Gambling

Evidence suggests that gambling is as old as the human Evidence suggests that gambling is as old as the human race and has been a part of many great cultures in race and has been a part of many great cultures in human history.human history.

Evidence suggests that the expansion of gambling has Evidence suggests that the expansion of gambling has been at times both evolutionary and revolutionarybeen at times both evolutionary and revolutionary..

First WaveFirst Wave

Begins during the colonial period and extends to the mid-nineteenth Begins during the colonial period and extends to the mid-nineteenth century. All of the colonies used lottery to help fund themselves e.g. century. All of the colonies used lottery to help fund themselves e.g. higher education. First lottery was in Long Island.higher education. First lottery was in Long Island.

Second WaveSecond Wave

Begins after the conclusion of the Civil War and continued to the early Begins after the conclusion of the Civil War and continued to the early years of the twentieth century. Gambling moves west – New years of the twentieth century. Gambling moves west – New Orleans was supplanted by San Francisco as the hub of gambling.Orleans was supplanted by San Francisco as the hub of gambling.


History of US GamblingHistory of US Gambling

Third WaveThird Wave

Begins during the Great Depression. By the close of the 1930s, 21 Begins during the Great Depression. By the close of the 1930s, 21 states had legalized race-tracks, low stakes charity bingo. During states had legalized race-tracks, low stakes charity bingo. During the 1940-1950s nearly every state legalized pari-mutuel. In 1931, the 1940-1950s nearly every state legalized pari-mutuel. In 1931, Nevada was the first state to legalize casinos. In 1964, New Jersey Nevada was the first state to legalize casinos. In 1964, New Jersey was the first state with a legal ‘state sponsored’ lottery. was the first state with a legal ‘state sponsored’ lottery.

By the late 1990s, 25 states legalized casino gambling. By the late 1990s, 25 states legalized casino gambling. Fourth WaveFourth Wave

Begins in the late 1990s and is defined by the increase growth of Begins in the late 1990s and is defined by the increase growth of commercial casinos, rapid expansion of tribally controlled gambling commercial casinos, rapid expansion of tribally controlled gambling and the explosion of gambling on the Internet. Presently some form and the explosion of gambling on the Internet. Presently some form of legalized gambling is available in 48 states plus the District of of legalized gambling is available in 48 states plus the District of Columbia. The two states without legalized gambling are Hawaii Columbia. The two states without legalized gambling are Hawaii and Utah.and Utah.

(I. Nelson Rose, as cited in Dunstan, 1997)(I. Nelson Rose, as cited in Dunstan, 1997)

What Is Responsible Gambling?Responsible Gambling Is:

• Gambling that is meant to be fun and entertaining.• Sticking to limits with time and money.

– Not spending more than you can afford to lose.– Gambling that DOES NOT cause problems at home, on the

job, legally or financially.

Council on Compulsive Gambling of PennsylvaniaCouncil on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania


What do we know about Youth Problem What do we know about Youth Problem Gambling?Gambling?

Actually, quite a lot, there is data from Actually, quite a lot, there is data from sources such as:sources such as:

McGill University – 1998/PresentMcGill University – 1998/Present

National Research Council – 1999National Research Council – 1999

PAYSPAYS, PA - 2009, PA - 2009

Prevalence FindingsPrevalence Findings US & Canadian findings…Youth

• 4-8% Level III, Probable pathological gamblers (NRC, 1999)

• 10-15% at-risk for problem gambling (Shaffer & Hall, 1996; Winters, Stinchfield, & Fulkerson, 1991; Wiebe, 1999; Wynne, Smith, & Jacobs, 1996)

• 1.1 million youth 12-17 exhibit pathological gambling behavior (National Gambling Impact Study Commission (NGISC), 1999)

• 5 million youth have serious gambling related problems (Jacobs, 2004)

• A problem not limited to the US & Canada but England (Fisher, Griffiths), Australia (Delfabbro; Moore & Oshutuka), New Zealand (NZPGRC) & Spain (Becona)

National Research Council (1999) conclusions

• 73% median value – youth gambled fairly recently

• 7.7-34.9% of youth problem gambling (broadly defined) 15.5% median value

• 1.2-11.2% more narrow definition of problem gambling 5.0% median value


Adolescent gamblingAdolescent gamblingGambling is more popular amongst males than females

Adolescent pathological gamblers are greater risk-takers

Adolescent prevalence rates of problem gambling are approximately 2-4 times that of adults

Family dynamicsFamily dynamics

40-68% of youth gamble with family members40-68% of youth gamble with family members

80-90% of parents report knowing their children gamble 80-90% of parents report knowing their children gamble for money and do not objectfor money and do not object

77% of adolescents reported their parents purchased 77% of adolescents reported their parents purchased lottery tickets for themlottery tickets for them


Adolescent gamblingAdolescent gambling

Adolescents with gambling problems have poor general coping skills

Few adolescents fear getting caught gambling

Adolescent problem gamblers report beginning gambling at earlier ages, approximately 10 years of age

Rapid movement from social gambler to problem gambler


Adolescent gamblingAdolescent gamblingWhile adolescents with gambling problems report having a

support group, old friends are often replaced by gambling associates

Adolescent problem gamblers remain at increased risk for the development of an addiction or multiple addictions

Adolescent problem gamblers score higher on excitability, extroversion, impulsivity and anxiety & lower on conformity and self-discipline measures

Adolescent problem and pathological gamblers have been shown to score lower on a measure of resiliency in light of risk factors


Adolescent gamblingAdolescent gambling

Adolescent problem gamblers have lower self- esteem compared with other adolescents

Adolescent problem gamblers have higher rates of depression

Adolescent problem gamblers dissociate more frequently when gambling Adolescents with gambling problems, ages 14-17, are at heightened risk for suicide ideation and suicide attempts

Problem and pathological gambling has been shown to result in increased delinquency and crime, disruption of familial relationships and decreased academic performance

Youth involvement in addictive behaviors

Current research and trends in youth use of ATOD & Gambling

• McGill

Regular* involvement in addictive behaviors

Gr.7 Gr.8 Gr.9 Gr.10 Gr.11

Smoke 4.0% 10.6% 15.4% 22.1% 23.8%

Alcohol 2.6% 11.0% 14.9% 22.3% 30.1%

Uppers 0.7% 0.5% 1.0% 0.4% 1.5%

Downers 2.0% 3.0% 11.1% 10.5% 10.2%

Hallucinogenic 0.7% 0.5% 1.9% 0.4% 2.9%

Wood, Gupta & Derevensky, 2004

Gambling 56.2% 49.2% 58.9% 59.0% 68.8%* Once a week or more.

Current research and trends in youth use of ATOD & Gambling

• PAYS 2009

• Statewide

PAYS • The Communities That Care Youth Survey (CTCYS) was

adopted as the basis for the PAYS

• The survey results provide an important benchmark for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use and delinquent behavior among young Pennsylvanians, and help indicate whether prevention and treatment programs are achieving their intended results.

• Alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use is measured in the PAYS by a set of 36 questions. The questions are similar to those used in the Monitoring the Future study, a nationwide study of drug use by middle and high school students.






PAYSPAYS Gambling Gambling

The 2009 PAYS asks students a series of six questions The 2009 PAYS asks students a series of six questions about their experiences with gambling. These include about their experiences with gambling. These include past-12-month prevalence measures for: gambling for past-12-month prevalence measures for: gambling for “money or anything of value,” betting “money or anything “money or anything of value,” betting “money or anything of value on sporting events,” buying “lottery tickets,” of value on sporting events,” buying “lottery tickets,” betting “money using the internet,” and betting “money or betting “money using the internet,” and betting “money or anything of value on table games like poker or other card anything of value on table games like poker or other card games, dice, backgammon, or dominoes.” games, dice, backgammon, or dominoes.”

A question about gambling for “money or anything of A question about gambling for “money or anything of value” in the past 30 days is also asked.value” in the past 30 days is also asked.



What does the average teen get out of it?What does the average teen get out of it?

McGill conducted a qualitative study, speaking with 198 teens aged McGill conducted a qualitative study, speaking with 198 teens aged 12 to 18 in a total of 34 focus groups.12 to 18 in a total of 34 focus groups.

We wanted to know what motivating factors contributed to the We wanted to know what motivating factors contributed to the initiation and maintenance of their gambling activities.initiation and maintenance of their gambling activities.


Why do they gamble? What are the Why do they gamble? What are the perceived benefits?perceived benefits?

MoneyMoney: the possibility of earning extra money is very appealing: the possibility of earning extra money is very appealing

ExcitementExcitement:: a major motivating factor a major motivating factor

EnjoymentEnjoyment: this was described as an “entertainment value” and : this was described as an “entertainment value” and was more often reported by the girlswas more often reported by the girls

SocialSocial:: Again, most often reported by girls. Gambling is viewed as a Again, most often reported by girls. Gambling is viewed as a way to promote relationships with friends and familyway to promote relationships with friends and family


Why do they gamble? What are the Why do they gamble? What are the perceived benefits?perceived benefits?

IndependenceIndependence: Boys often reported gambling to assert their sense : Boys often reported gambling to assert their sense of importance and to feel older, since gambling is viewed as an of importance and to feel older, since gambling is viewed as an “adult activity“adult activity

CompetitionCompetition:: Gambling presents as a challenge to compete with Gambling presents as a challenge to compete with and win against others. This was more true for the younger teens.and win against others. This was more true for the younger teens.

EscapeEscape:: This was not a common motivator listed by participants. This was not a common motivator listed by participants. The few who referred to it also reported recent problems with The few who referred to it also reported recent problems with gambling experiences.gambling experiences.


Reasons why children & adolescents Reasons why children & adolescents gamble (N=1040)gamble (N=1040)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

grade 4 grade 6 grade 7 grade 8 grade 9 grade 11

enjoyment

excitement

money

social pressure


Preferred activities…….Preferred activities…….


Percentage of children and adolescents engaging in various gambling activities (N=1294)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

cards sportspools

sportslottery

lottery videopoker

bingo slots games ofskill

grade 4

grade 6

grade 7

grade 8

grade 9

grade 11


Important Issues

• General lack of awareness among parents, teachers, and school officials regarding youth gambling problems

• Proliferation of gambling venues, ease of accessibility and types of games particularly attractive to youth

• Growth of Internet wagering and other forms of electronic gambling


Important Issues

• Gambling as a primary form of entertainment. Even being televised.

• Gambling promoted as a sport. Players gaining celebrity status.

• Gambling online (increases accessibility). Training on practice sites.

• Gambling as a career option.

• Gambling being normalized, and no longer being viewed as risky.


Best options protecting our youth

• Prevention is key, as knowledge is power

• The school system is an ideal venue for administration of prevention programs. In the process, teachers are sensitized as well.

• Prevention of gambling problems also translates into prevention of other high-risk behaviors.

• Prevention is a proactive and necessary approach


•

Youth Gambling and Problem GamblingYouth Gambling and Problem Gambling

No gambling Social gambling Problem

GamblingPathological

None

MildMildModerate

Severe

Gambling Problems

Brief Intensive

Treatment

Secondary Prevention

Primary Prevention

Smart Choices:

Youth Problem Gambling Prevention Program

When Does Gambling Become a Problem?Young people develop gambling problems just as adults do.

Gambling is a problem when you:

- Often find yourself thinking about gambling

- Miss school or work in order to gamble

- Spend more and more money on gambling activities

- Become restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling

- Gamble to escape or forget your problems

- Gamble more to win back what you have already lost in gambling

- Spend your lunch or carfare money on gambling

- Take money from someone you live with, without their knowing, in order to gamble

- Steal money from outside the family or shoplifted in order to gamble

- Experience problems, arguments, fights etc. with your family or close friends because of your gambling.

Sponsored by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania

with support from the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs, the Pennsylvania Lottery and the Gaming

Control Board

A Program to help identify gambling problems and

Stop them before they Start

SMART CHOICESSMART CHOICES

To learn more go to: WWW.PACOUNCIL.COM

Problem Gambling Helpline: 800-848-1884

http://www.pacouncil.com/


RESOURCES

Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania

• Be aware of local resources:

1-800 GAMBLER

Free, confidential referral service, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week in English and Spanish.

Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania, Inc. www.pacouncil.com / 1-215-389-4008

Carl Robertson: [email protected]

McGill University: International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems & High-Risk Behaviors: www.youthgambling.com


Council on Compulsive Gambling of PennsylvaniaCouncil on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania

Presented ByPresented By

Carl RobertsonCarl RobertsonCouncil on Compulsive Gambling of Council on Compulsive Gambling of

PennsylvaniaPennsylvania

[email protected]

Thank You!

Documents

International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors Youth behaviours: alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and gambling Carl Robertson, MA