Paul Springer Ph.D.

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Anytime you bet money or something of value on an event of uncertain outcome…

The Problem with gambling, is it doesn’t just happen in Vegas anymore.

In fact, all but two U.S. states (Utah and Hawaii) have legalized gambling.

Industry 2007 Gross Revenues

Card Rooms $1.18 Billion

Commercial Casinos $34.41 Billion

Charitable Games and Bingo $2.22 Billion

Indian Casinos $26.02 Billion

Legal Bookmaking $168.8 Million

Lotteries $24.78 Billion

Pari-Mutual Wagering $3.50 Billion

TOTAL $92.27 Billion Dollars

• Lottery • Slot Machines, Poker Machines, Other Gambling Machines, Not at a Casino

• Horse/Dog Racing • Dice Games, Not at a Casino

• Land based Casinos • Games of Skills for Money

• Native American Casinos • Sports

• Lai Alai • Office Pools, Raffles or Charitable Small-Stakes Gambling

• Bingo • Internet

• Stock or Commodities Market

•Trading or “chasing Cards

• Numbers • Flipping Coins

• Cards for Money, Not at a Casino

• Dares

• Floating Casinos • Others

Criteria: A. Persistent or recurrent problematic

gambling behavior leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as indicated by the individual exhibiting four (or more of the following in a 12-month period:▪ 1. Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of

money in order to achieve the desired excitement.

▪ 2. Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling. (withdrawl)

▪ 3. Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling.

(American Psychiatric Association, 2013)

▪ 4. Is often preoccupied with gambling.▪ 5. Often gambles when feeling distress.▪ 6. After losing money gambling, often returns

another day to get even.▪ 7. Lies to conceal the extent of involvement

with gambling.▪ 8. Has jeopardized or lost a significant

relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling.

▪ 9. Relies on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling.

(American Psychiatric Association, 2013)

Essential feature: disruption of personal, family, and/or vocational pursuits.

“Chasing one’s losses” pattern may emerge Frequent & long term

(American Psychiatric Association, 2013)

Typically manifests during middle to late adulthood, however can occur during adolescence.

Those who gamble with family and friends early in life, are at higher risk to develop the disorder earlier, as well as those associated with impulsivity and substance abuse

Generally develops over the course of years, with the gradual increase in both frequency and amount wagered

Gender Differences: Early-life development occurs more frequently in males. Females more commonly develop gambling disorder during

adulthood. Tends to develop faster in females than males.

Younger individuals are more likely to gamble through sports betting, while older individuals will commonly bet through slot machines and bingo.

Type of gambling as well as money wagered do not necessarily suggest a gambling disorder.o Someone who buys a lotto ticket every day, may

not have a gambling issue, while someone who attends casinos less frequently might.

Patterns can be regular or episodic, and may increase in times of stress or substance abuse.

People commonly travel through periods of heavy gambling, followed by random long-term remission periods.

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• Experiencing an early big win.• Easy access to preferred gambling methods• Experienced a recent life change or loss

• Divorce, job loss, or death of a loved one• Been abused or experienced trauma• Exhibits risk taking behavior• Feel depressed• History of mental illness. • Has at least one parent with gambling

problems• History of substance abuse problems

Note the consequences? Financial problems Family struggles Potential Divorce Health Issues Suicide Depression Prison

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aQgpcxVtu0

Research has shown that up to 95% of the population has gambled at one point in their life.

Approximately3% of the population are problem gamblers.

For adolescents and college students the prevalence rate is 6%

The average age of onset for gambling is age 10.

The 4 “E”s of Gambling Entertainment–It’s fun

Excitement – association with risk, thrill, and uncertainty

Economic Gain – win money

Escape – from emotional troubles

Approximately 3 million adults meet the criteria for pathological gambling each year.

Unlike alcohol or drug addiction, problem gambling has few outward signs.

Source: National Council on Problem Gambling

• Significant relationships with family and friends may be effected or lost.

• Trust may be broken due to lying and sneaking around.

• Employment will be affected, as well as educational activities.

• Absences from work or school might increase, as individuals choose to instead gamble during those time periods.

• High comorbidity rates with substance use disorders, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders.

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4.1%

5.6%

2.3%1.2%

0%

2%

4%

6%

At High Risk: Rates of Problem Gambling by Age

Adolescent

College

General adultpopulation

Elderly

• Gambling often starts as a social activity.

• Gambling can become a coping mechanism after a life change (death of spouse, loss of friends, etc.)

• Seniors may hide problems because of stigma.

• Cognitive impairments can affect decision making of some older adults.

• Older adults don’t have working years to recover losses

Popularity of televised gambling has created excitement and acceptance of gambling.

• Young people are three times more likely to suffer from problem gambling than adults.

• Strong correlation exists between gambling and alcohol or other drugs.

Source: National Council of Problem Gambling

Gambling appears to be the Norm for most College Students

72% of students in the Alberta sample 70% of students in the Connecticut sample 88% of students in the Minnesota sample

However, a Sizable Percentage of College Students show signs of a Gambling Problem! 3.2%-16.4% of student population

Nearly 70% of male student-athletes reported gambling in the past year versus 47% among females.

About 35% of males and 10% of females admitted to wagering on a sporting event in the past year, which is a direct violation of NCCA bylaws regarding sports wagering.

20% of males and %5 of females bet on collegiate sporting events in the past year, even though if caught they would be banned from playing at an NCAA school for the rest of their lives.

Source: http://www.gamblinghelp.org.sections/college/inside.html

22% of male athletes and 6% of female student-athletes also admitted betting on football pools or with a bookie (a person who takes bets, typically for illegal activities)

Among Division I, II, and III male student-athletes, 17% were classified as “potential problem gamblers or worse” versus 3% among their female counterparts.

Overall, less than 5% of males and one-half of 1% of females were categorized as problem or compulsive gamblers.

Source: http://www.gamblinghelp.org.sections/college/inside.html

Similar to other addictions, research has shown changes in the brain and its brain functioning as a result of problem gambling.

30-50% of problem gamblers in treatment are substance abusers.

10-30% of addicts in treatment are problem gamblers.

Suicide

Chasing losses

Change in mood

Loss of Family

Loss of employment

Surround yourself with people to whom you are accountable

Avoid Tempting Environments

Give up control of finances (at least initially)

Find exciting & enjoyable activities to replace gambling (fill void)