gambling addiction & the law. goals for this presentation understand that gambling can become...
TRANSCRIPT
GAMBLING ADDICTION & THE LAW
Goals for this presentation
Understand that gambling can become an addiction
Understand relationship of problem gambling to fraud/embezzlement/other legal issues
Become familiarize with resources to address problem gambling
Learn about gambling court models and resources
Gambling addicts, like other addicts, commit crime to support their addiction
Former assistant manager, First American Title Insurance of Portland, embezzled $800,000 between 2001-05, sentenced to 15 months federal prison.
Embezzler’s sentenced: 8 years
West Linn- During
sentencing for stealing $1.4 million, the city’s former finance chief talks of “terrible shame”
City bond rating damaged
More Stories of Gambling Related Embezzlement
Aloha woman, stole more than $900,000 from her employer, US Bank, sentenced to 27 months.
Washington County woman, embezzled $275,000 from EasyStreet Online Services, sentenced to state prison.
Why is Gambling Related Crime a Growing Concern?
Because as gambling proliferates, problem gambling also becomes a growing concern
Gambling in Oregon is Growing
Oregon is among top 5 states in the US for gambling opportunities!
All nine tribes have casinos
Lottery retailers are everywhere; Lottery electronic machines are the most often reported game among those in treatment
Spirit Mt. Casino has replaced Multnomah Falls as our #1 tourist attraction
Societal Acceptance = More Gamblers
Industry perpetuates a vision of gambling as entertaining, glamorous and as a means of achieving financial freedom.
More Gambling …. More Gamblers … More Problem Gamblers
Prevalence of gambling disorders
is a function of the overall level of gambling participation
The More Problem Gamblers, the More Gambling Related Crimes
Moore (2009). Slightly more than one third (31%) of those entering
gambling treatment in Oregon reported committing an illegal act related to their gambling.
National Gambling Impact Study Commission (1999). A third of problem and pathological gamblers had been
arrested, compared to 10% of low-risk gamblers and 4% of non-gamblers
Gambling in Lincoln County
Casino in the county and two more less than an hour away
----- Lottery retailers and $---- in sales in Lincoln County
Lottery video poker is the no. 1 game among those seeking pg treatment
Sandy4th grade teacher
PamFormer Credit Union VP(incarcerated for embezzlement)
WarrenCornell University Economics Degree
But problem gamblers are not
your “typical” criminals
• often high functioning and bright• usually employed•enter treatment later• easier to hide: no obvious physical signs of addiction, nor physical limitations to the process (i.e. don’t OD from too much gambling )
Jane Grandmastole 250K to gamble
Source: National Council on Problem Gambling voices of recovery http://www.ncpgambling.org/
and gambling is not your typical addiction….or is it???
Not typical because not on the radar screen of most of us, not well understood, not routinely screened for, feds spend $0 on it
Typical because it changes your brain in the same way cocaine use does, you experience highs and withdrawals, you can “black out”, you lose the ability to control the behavior, desperation occurs, devastates family
Problem gambling defined
“All patterns of gambling behavior that compromise, disrupt, or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits.”
Synonymous with “compulsive”, “addicted”, “clinical”, “diagnosable” and “Level 3”
DSM diagnostic criteria is similar to Substance Abuse/Dependence
Continuum of gambling behavior
No Gambling
Experimentation Social At-Risk Problem Pathological
Level 1 Level 2
Level 3
Indicators of problem gambling
Increase in gambling time and places Increase in size of bets Working up special occasions for
gambling Intensity of interest in gambling Boasting wins; evading loses
More Indicators
Gambling when there is a crisis
Drop off in other activities/interests
Frequent absences from school, work and home
Withdrawal from family
Personality changes(irritability/hostility)
Use funds that should go to other purposes
Gambling and other addictions
Highly correlated with substance use and abuse and drug use
High relapse and crossover addiction potential if not addressed in treatment
Suicide rates higher than other addictions
DUII clients, drug court clients, incarcerated persons, youth detention facilities
3 question screen is valid
This is your brain on gambling
Dr. Timothy Fong of UCLA compared the brain functions of compulsive gamblers and meth addicts.
Both groups display similar impairments to the part of the brain where the orbital frontal cortex resides.
“In other words”, says Fong, “for both compulsive gamblers and meth addicts, the brakes are gone.”
Gambling-related consequences among those in treatment (Oregon)
Average gambling debt: $29,000 37 percent reported alcohol related
problems More than 30 percent reported
committing illegal acts to obtain gambling money
More than 48 percent had suicidal thoughts and 9 percent reported a suicide attempt
Insert county pg treatment data here
Available fromhttp://www.oregon.gov/OHA/addiction/gambling.shtml#r-d
scroll down to:2011 Oregon Problem Gambling Services Data Book
Full version
Resources
Insert county pg prevention data here
Available from http://www.oregon.gov/OHA/addiction/gambling.shtml#r-d
scroll down to:2011 Oregon Problem Gambling Services Data Book
Full version
…that’s more than1 per classroom, yet it’s not adequately addressed in schools, at home or in the community
In Oregon, already 1 in 251 in 25 youth is a problem gamblerproblem gambler
Problem gambling is important to infuse into prevention efforts
Oregon youth who gamble are at much higher risk for other problems...it is not harmless recreation, as most believe
Treatment in Oregon: it’s free, confidential and it works
Continuum of CareHelpline : 24/7 phone, email, chat, instant message staffed by certified pg counselors
1-877-mylimit or 1877mylimit.org
outpatient treatment centers staffed by specially trained counselors
residential treatment program
Problem Gambling Treatment is Specialized
Addiction treatment PLUS Gambler’s fallacy/dream world/false
beliefs Financial intervention and
accountability Co-occurring disorders and suicide Family involvement (treatment is also
free for family with or without the gambler)
Recovery Support
Gamblers Anonymous: 12-step organization for problem gamblers
Gam-Anon: For family members Current list of meetings: call 1-877-mylimit or go to 1877mylimit.org
Legal/Judicial Interventions
Options: video and handouts www.gamblingcourt.org http://www.gamblingcourt.org/videoFarrell.php
Conclusions
Problem gambling is a real addiction and growing concern
The legal system is a key partner for identifying problem gamblers, getting them treatment and holding them accountable
Effective, specialized resources are available yet underutilized