Welcome to Bridges! Providing Hope, Strengthening Families, Building Healthy Communities

Gambling

General Information

Definitions:

Gambling can be defined as any activity (e.g. a game of chance or skill) where an item of value is placed at risk in an attempt to gain something of greater value.

Problem Gambling is gambling behavior which causes disruptions in any major area of life: Psychological, physical, social or vocational. The term "Problem Gambling" includes, but is not limited to, the condition known as "Pathological" or "Compulsive" Gambling, a progressive addiction characterized by increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, "chasing" losses, and loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting, serious, negative consequences (as defined by the National Council on Problem Gambling, www.ncpgambling.org).

Compulsive or Pathological Gambling is a progressive disorder in which an individual has a psychologically uncontrollable preoccupation with an urge to gamble, resulting in damage to vocational, family and social interests. It is characterized by a chronic and progressive inability to resist the impulse to gamble. It was first diagnosed and recognized by the American Psychiatric Association in 1980 and published in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-IV).

3 Stages of Gambling Addiction ( Stopproblemgambling.org) :

1. The winning phase- The person starts gambling as a social pastime, experiences the euphoria of winning and this fuels further gambling behavior.

2. The losing phase- In this phase the gambler starts to lose control and becomes impulsive. They try to win back their losses. If losses accumulate, they will lie to cover up or escape detection.

3. Desperation phase- At this phase, life is out of control and losses become unmanageable. Gamblers feel powerless, remorseful, and desperate.

New York State has a free 24 hours a day 7 days a week help line for problem gamblers or people concerned about friends and loved ones.

Adolescent and College Problem Gambling

Adolescent Facts (NYCPG) 1998 Adolescent Gambling Survey

86% of the New York adolescent said that they had bet on one or more types of gambling at some time, 75% had gambled in the past year and 15% had bet on one or more types of gambling on a weekly basis.

Adolescent males are more likely to gamble on a regular basis versus adolescent females.

New York adolescents who have gambled are most likely to have started gambling with friends or parents. Another quarter of these adolescents started gambling with another family member, including siblings, grandparents and other relatives. Adolescents are most likely to have started gambling on card, dice or domino games or on raffles and charitable games.

Gambling involvement among adolescents in New York is correlated with alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use. Weekly gamblers are more likely than less frequent gamblers to have ever tried alcohol, tobacco and marijuana and to have gotten into trouble in the past year because of their alcohol or drug use.

Problem gamblers are more likely than other adolescents who gamble to have problems with family members or friends due to gambling and to have had trouble at school or work due to their gambling. Problem gamblers are more likely than at-risk or non-problem gamblers to have shoplifted, sold drugs and engaged in other illegal activities to get money to gamble or to pay gambling debts.

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling in Adolescents (nyproblemgambling.org):

Unexplained absences from school or classes
Sudden drop in grades or failure to complete assignments on time
Change of personality or behavior
Exaggerated display of money or other material possessions
Daily or weekly card game
Bragging about winning at gambling
Intense interest in gambling conversations
Unusual interest in newspapers/magazines/periodicals/sports scores
Unaccountable explanation for new items of value in possession
Borrowing or stealing money
Withdrawing from family and friends
Uncharacteristically forgetting appointments or dates
Exaggerated use of word “bet” in vocabulary and/or use of gambling language in conversations (e.g. bookie, point spread, underdog, favorite)

College Students and Problem Gambling (Villanova.edu)

5-9% of Male college students are problem gamblers
1-2% of Female college students are problem gamblers
The most common forms of gambling are cards and gambling machines
Online poker has contributed to problem gambling- easy access to gambling sites

Warning Signs of Problem Gambling among College Students

Gambling for a longer amount of time than originally planned
Gambling until there is no money left
Losing sleep due to late night gambling or the inability to stop thinking about gambling
Using money set aside for other expenses (bills, tuition) for gambling
Multiple unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling
Borrowing money to continue gambling
Illegal activities to obtain money to continue gambling
Feeling of remorse after gambling
Depression and/or suicidal thoughts because of gambling

Adults and Senior Problem Gambling Information (OASAS 2006 Household study and www.ncpgambling.org)

In 2006 5% of adults had experienced problem gambling with in the past year.
Adults engaged in problem gambling started at an earlier age than those who did not
Males were more likely to have gambled on a weekly basis than females (26% v 16%)
Males were also more likely than females to become problem gamblers (7.8% v 2.3%)
Older adults were more likely to gamble on a weekly basis, but younger adults are more likely to have experienced problem gambling in the last year
Married adults were less likely to experience problem gambling than their unmarried counterparts
Employed adults were more likely to experience problem gambling than non employed adults
Of the 5% of adults who have experienced problem gambling in the past year 28% of these adults also experienced substance use disorder
The most common form of gambling in NYS was the lottery
The most frequent social activity for seniors is gambling. 65% of seniors choose casinos and bingo to lunch and movies.
Casino’s cater to seniors with bus transportation, free or discounted meals, and special prizes for winning
Seniors gamble as a way to escape the loss of a loved one or to overcome a financial burden they may have.
Cognitive impairment may prevent seniors from recognizing that they have a problem with gambling