gaming, fantasy and gambling: blurring lines and what we can do

Julie M. Hynes, MA, CPSA training at ADAPT | December 10, 2015

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The complete slide deck & print-friendly handouts are posted at:

www.preventionlane.org/adapt

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Why Here? Why Now?

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Why Here? Why Now?

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Why Here? Why Now?

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More than ever, behavioral health specialists need to be aware of technology and the issues that face populations from youth to those in recovery for addictions.

Some Questions to Ask Ourselves

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How is our definition of “gambling” blurring?

Why are youth and people in recovery at risk for disordered gambling by merely playing a free poker or fantasy sports app?

How do we work in prevention, and with those in recovery, who may be gaming excessively?

Today’s Objectives

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• Identify several recent trends, technological issues and parallels related to gambling, social gaming and fantasy sports.

• Identify which populations present the greatest risk for harmful consequences related to excessive online gaming behavior.

• Name at least four tools that can be used to help reduce the risk of harmful consequences of electronic gaming.

Caveat

This is focused mainly on GAMING/GAMBLINGconnections, but parallels are likely to be seen with many other internet / tech-related disorders.

Image purchased by J. Hynes via cartoonstock.com; please do not duplicate.

Trigger Warnings

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Some content here could present as a “trigger” to those in recovery.

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TECHNOLOGY, TRENDS & TIE-IN’S

Graphic source: http://www.cyber-scholar.com/

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Evenat the HappiestPlace On Earth!

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Definitions:

GamblingDefinitions:

Gambling______ something of valuein the _________________

something of greater value.

hopes of obtainingRISKING

Source: American Psychiatric Association - DSM-5 (2013).

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Prize: Anything of value the sponsor awards in a promotion. (Example: goods/services with a monetary value or items of intrinsic value.)

Definitions:

Lottery.Definitions:

Lottery.

Chance: A process beyond the participant's direct control determines the outcome. (Example: an instant-win game at a fast food restaurant.)

Consideration: Requires $ or significant effort. (Example: attending a sales presentation, downloading a file.)

Parallels: Gaming/Gambling

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Reasons for Play

Theme/Genre

Rewards & Reinforcements

Dopamine

Platforms

Center photo: Daniel Berman.

• Technology• Speed• Platforms

Changing Norms.

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We are mobile.

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As of October 2014* ●90% of American adults have a cell phone●64% of American adults have a smartphone●42% of American adults own a tablet

computer

Source: Pew Internet Project*Latest data available, as of November 9, 2015

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From real gamblingFrom real gambling

“Freemium”“Freemium”

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* (WITH “IN-APP PURCHASES.”)

Real money for pretend money.Real money for pretend money.

● Higher wagers● Inflated payouts● Better odds

●Most popular choice for youth

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Free Internet GamblingFree Internet Gambling

(By the way, this was a “pop-up” ad on a children’s game.)

Free Internet GamblingFree Internet Gambling

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Pop-up on my own kid’s game

pokerstars.net

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pokerstars.com

Subtle differences.Subtle differences.

Have you ever experienced a

cognitive distortion? What was the

experience like?

Have you ever experienced a

cognitive distortion? What was the

experience like?

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Oh, the Facebook invitations…Oh, the Facebook invitations…

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Let’s take a look online together…Let’s take a look online together…

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Let’s take a look online together…Let’s take a look online together…

World Series of Poker 2015 presented by…

33Source: ESPN

Investors & Sponsors.Investors & Sponsors.

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“Game of Skill”

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Free Internet GamblingFree Internet Gambling

91% of profits

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Image source: http://www.businessinsider.com/skilled-players-win-daily-fantasy-sports-2015-10

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Join Free!Join Free!

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Join Free! (We do a live

demonstration here…)

Join Free! (We do a live

demonstration here…)

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(& Skirting Them)

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FREE!*

• Made it illegal for banks and credit card companies to allow money to be transferred to online casinos or gambling websites

• Fostered growth in third party (PayPal-esque) accounts for money transfers

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Unlawful Gambling Enforcement

Act of 2006

Unlawful Gambling Enforcement

Act of 2006

• Switched gears

• Gambling technically not ILLEGAL

• Up to the states to decide

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U.S. Dept of Justice Opinion, 2011U.S. Dept of Justice Opinion, 2011

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/10/15/us/sports-betting-daily-fantasy-games-fanduel-draftkings.html

Individual states sometimes have very specific, restrictive laws about online gambling. Some states expressly prohibit online gambling by residents while others have no clear laws.

States currently with legalized online gambling:

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NV

NJ

DE

States Decide.States Decide.

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Data source: http://www.legalsportsreport.com/daily-fantasy-sports-blocked-allowed-states/

States NOT Allowing Daily

Fantasy to date (in blue) – 12/8/15

States NOT Allowing Daily

Fantasy to date (in blue) – 12/8/15

Connections and Concerns.

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This is the first generation of widely available electronic gaming & gambling. We really don’t know the effects yet.

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Much like the

technology

itself,

the research is

new.

Background

Suggested link between adolescent video game playing and adoption of gambling in later life.

Brown, 1989; Griffiths, 1999.

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Mark Griffiths, 2015 - http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/21/opinion/gaming-addiction-risks/

Backgroundhighly frequent and problem players of both gambling machines and video games report entering dissociative-like states when playing.

(Jacobs 1988; Wood et al. 2007).

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“Internet Gaming Disorder” A condition warranting more clinical research and experience before it might be considered for inclusion in the main book as a formal disorder.

Source: http://www.dsm5.org/Documents/Internet%20Gaming%20Disorder%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

The DSM-5The DSM-5

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“ADDICTION” is the desired term…

• DraftKings ad58

“Executives love to hear the phrase "addictive gameplay.“ Game designers, speaking for myself and those I know… find the concept intriguing but simultaneously dangerous.”

– Erin Hoffman, Video Game Designer

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Bejeweled (2009)Bejeweled (2009)

Article source: Life, Addictive Game Mechanics, And The Truth Hiding In Bejeweled. Image source: ea.com

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Article: imore.com

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Convenience

Speed & Intensity

“Relationships”

Discovery (new content)

Competition

Components of Addiction?Components of Addiction?

Rewards & Reinforcements“FOMO”“FOMO”

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/23/sports/fantasy-sports-addiction-gambling-draftkings-fanduel.html

Gentile, D. (2009). Pathological video-game use among youth ages 8-18: A national study. Psychological Science, 20, 594-602. Click here for article. 64

“Pathological” Video Gamers“Pathological” Video Gamers

• Sample of 1,178 youth in the U.S.: 8.5% of youth gamers were classified as “pathological gamers”

• >80% play video games at least occasionally

• “Pathological” gaming: (using 5 of 10 of DSM-IV; this was prior to DSM-5)

FAMILIAR CRITERIA

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n=3,034 – grades 3, 4, 7 & 8

9% pathological gaming

●Less empathy●More impulsivity

Source: Gentile, Choo, Liau, et al. (2011). Pathological video game use among youth: A two year longitudinal study. Pediatrics, 127, e319-29

“Pathological” Video Gamers“Pathological” Video Gamers

ThePREFRONTAL CORTEX is the LAST PART to develop.

25years old!

The brain is still

developinguntil

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What we know about youth

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Oregon data: Volberg, Hedberg & Moore, 2008

Source: Brain Briefings (2007, October), Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC

Gaming/Gambling & Dopamine

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Dopamine not released when expecting a loss.Flooded with dopamine when expecting a win!

It’s NOT about the money!

Electronics: about the action. Sound familiar?

“ALMOST WINNING”: dopamine is activated the same as ACTUALLY winning.

Problem gamblers are more likely to see their near misses as “NEAR WINS”

People play LONGER when machines give them NEAR MISSES.

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Addressing the Issues.

Recommendations:

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●Gambling-Like Monetized Games●Responsible Gaming Features●Age Controls●Data Driven Research●Education Of Players

From: Social Games Consumer Protection Guidelines, National Council on Problem Gambling (2013, Draft, v. 3)

Recommendations:

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2. Local Systems Level.

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● Education integration:● Addictions.● Internet safety.● Cyberbullying.● Brain development.

● Program/policy integration.● Codes of conduct.● Treatment recommendations.

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Current policy: www.oregonpgs.org/treatment/internet-gaming-policy

OK to treat if: history of gambling disorder co-occurring problem gambling a concerned other of a problem gambler

Recommendations:

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2. Local Systems Level.

3. Individual Level.

YES!!

Individual Level

For people in recovery:• Friends• Sponsors• Etc

Hey man, you’ve been holed up for 8 hours. Let’s go eat.

Cu in 5

You told me to text you…remember your deal.

Shutup give me a few

OK OK

Jordan6:49PM

5:11PM

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Counselors: Be mindful of HIPAA!

●By searching on the app store/Google play (etc.) for apps, mobile users can inadvertently trigger themselves ☹

● (Kind of like any online searches for help)●DISCONNECT payment!

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●CONTROLS: set them (your mobile carriers’, not just the device!)

●CREDIT CARD: don’t link it.●MONITOR: Keep computer use in open area –

if you can (desktop computer).

Other tips for those in recovery & in general

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Recommendations for Youth

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It’s not about TRUST,it’s about keeping them

SAFE!89

Kimberly S. Young, PhD – Available on Amazon / Kindle

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COMMUNICATEexpectations.

Use techto your advantage.

Remember about when you need to shut the game off.

☺ love u

Jordan. phone goes off. Now.

Minecraft, mom.

K

Mom9:46PM

9:31PM

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9:13 PM

9:45 PM

9:45 PM

9:46 PM

My 80’s Frogger game

Image source: eBay user duramax1989

CONSEQUENCES

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● Check out the games/apps WITH your kids● Play with your kids or sit with them while they play.

You will have fun and learn about their gaming, too. ● Check the ratings of the games your kids want to

play. Most games at retail stores are described and rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board(ESRB). Use these ratings as you discuss the most appropriate games with your child or teen. Note that many of these ratings list “E” for everyone!

________________________

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●Major mobile services (e.g., AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) offer family protection plans

● Features include: GPS, purchase blocking, turning off browsing/data/texting, time of day, etc.

● See www.preventionlane.org/online-safety for a list of helpful links to these services

Practicality alert: Some features CANNOT be blocked when user has access to WiFi (so…you may need to change your WiFi password often!)

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●Pay attention to clues: restless, withdrawal, lack of interest, different friends, signs you know from problem gambling

●INTERVENE if you see warning signs. (Get intervention tips: www.drugfree.org/intervene)

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And…last but not least!

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preventionlane.orgJulie.Hynes@co.lane.or.us

facebook.com/preventionlane

Thank You!Questions, Resources, Connections :

twitter.com/PreventionLanetwitter.com/HynesUO

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