Problem Gambling Prevention – Moving Beyond 2013Alcohol and Substance Abuse Council

of Jefferson County, Inc.167 Polk Street, Suite 320

Watertown, NY 13601Voice: 315-788-4660Fax: 315-788-4922

Web: www.jcasac.com

Adapted from: Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance

ObjectivesDefine problem gamblingTalk about gambling, risks and consequencesProvide a review of the impact of youth &

adult problem gambling

Gambling: Acceptable Part of Society

Scratch offsLottery numbers drawn live on TVBillboards, TV, radio adsGambling on cell phones & InternetOdds on sports events carried daily in newspapersSports bettingChurch or benevolent associations bingo and rafflesCasinosPoker tournamentsGov. Cuomo Proposition 1

First Generation of YouthThis is the first generation of youth to be

exposed to ready access to a variety of gambling opportunities, venues, and wide-spread gambling advertising.

Gambling DefinedTo risk money or anything of value on the

outcome of chance. Most people who gamble do so responsibly.

Gamblers Anonymous states “any betting or wagering, for self or others, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant, where the outcome is uncertain or depends upon chance or skill constitutes gambling”

Problem GamblingProblem or compulsive gambling is a spectrum of addictive behaviors described as increasingly spending more and more time, focus and money on gambling activities.

Signs of Problem Gambling Preoccupied with gambling opportunities Needing to gamble with more and more money Using gambling as a way to escape feelings or stress Continuing to gamble in order to “chase losses”  Lying to cover up gambling, failing to control gambling  Seeking financial bailouts for gambling losses  Committing illegal acts to finance gambling activities

State Gambling StatisticsThe New York Council on Problem Gambling

(NYCPG) reports there are over 660,000 problem gamblers in New York state

NYCPG states that 42% of problem gamblers have an addiction to lottery tickets

NYCPG studies found that teen rates for problem gambling are higher than for adults

Substance abuse and participation in crime are factors associated with problem gambling.

 

Local Gambling Statistics

Grade 6th Grade

8th Grade

10th Grade

12th Grade

% of Youth Gambling 27.8% 35.6% 36.1% 35.7%

Jefferson County Prevention Needs Assessment: Gambling percentages and most prevalent gambling behaviors

 

  

Percent of Students Engaged in Behavior during the Past Year

Percent of Students Engaged in Behavior during the Past Year

Percent of Students Engaged in Behavior during the Past Year

Percent of Students Engaged in Behavior during the Past Year 

 Grade Bet on Cards Bet on Sports Played the Lottery Bet on Games of Skill 

6th

 18.7% 12% 12.4% 8.6%

8th

 13.4% 16.3% 18.3% 11.9%

10th

 12.9% 18.8% 17.8% 11.3%

12th

 14.6% 13.2% 19.3% 8.9%

Dollar Amounts of Spent/Lost

Citizens Against Gambling in New York (CAGNY) state the gaming industry reported “in 2010 that gamblers generated $5.4 billion in revenue for New York state.”

Community ImpactCAGNY further states that this $5.4 billion reported by the gaming industry was actually money spent and lost by New York residents or visitors, with much of that money lost from family savings, child support, was borrowed against life insurance or college funds, lost from social security or welfare support, or embezzled from businesses.

CAGNY reports that society is drained of $2 for every $1 of tax revenue due to the state from casinos.

Gambling Crosses Age, Education and Economic Lines

The Consequences of Problem Gambling

Financial: stealing, fraud, bankruptcySpiritual/Psychological: depression, suicideSocial: isolation, withdrawalFamily:, disintegration of relationships, neglect

and abuseVocational: decline in performance, academic

failure, loss of job

College-Age: Young Adults and Teens

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

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

Strong correlation exists between gambling and alcohol or other drugs.

Source: National Council on Problem Gambling

Signs of Gambling Problems - Youth

Negative changes in personality or behaviorSudden drop in gradesAbsences from schoolUnusual interest in sport scores and point spreads.Exaggerated use of the word “bet” in their

vocabulary or other gambling language Large amounts of money in their possession,

exaggerated display of material possessionsStealing, shoplifting, selling possessions, or theft

from family to pay debts

 

15

Two DecisionsNot to gamble at all.

To gamble legally, socially, recreationally, occasionally, and appropriately.

Characteristics of Low-Risk Gambling

Fun or recreation – not financial gainWith friends or colleagues – not aloneFor limited time periods – both frequency and

durationWithin predetermined limits for losses that are

acceptable

Gambling Decisions –Whether To?

Understand that you will probably lose, and accept the loss as part of the game.

Think of the money you lose as the cost of your entertainment. Winnings are bonuses!

Never borrow money to gamble.Know the warning signs of problem gambling.Make gambling a social activity and do it with

friends.Gambling should not be the only form of

recreation.

Gambling Decisions –When?

There are certain high-risk situations during which gambling should be avoided:

When feeling lonely, angry, depressed or under stress

When trying to solve any personal or family problems

Gambling to impress othersGambling to cope with the death or loss of a loved

oneWhen using alcohol or other drugs

Gambling Decisions –How Much?

Set an acceptable spending limit.Set a time limit prior to beginning and stick to

it.Never gamble money you need for daily

expenses.Don’t gamble on credit or debit cards.Never borrow money to gamble.When gambling, take breaks, don’t chase or

hide losses.

ResourcesAlcohol and Substance Abuse Council of Jefferson

County Inc., 315-788-4660, www.jcasac.com/blog

Local Gamblers’ Anonymous Information & Hotline- 315-482-9445

NYS Problem Gambling 24-Hour Hopeline- 1-877-

8HOPENY

Gam-Anon (for families) 718-352-1671, www.gam-anon.org

New York Council on Problem Gambling, www.nyproblemgambling.org