To risk money or something of value on the outcome of an

unpredictable event.

1 in 1751 in 175,000

1 in 175 million1 in 175 billion

1 in 175 Million(174,233,510)

Odds of getting struck by lightning:

1 in 280,000

Odds of winning $100 in PowerBall

… are less than 1 in 11,000… but what does that mean??

Let’s say there is 1 RED popcorn kernel in this

bag of 10,000 pieces of popcorn

….you’d have a better chance of reaching in and grabbing the one red kernel of popcorn in this bag than you would of winning $100 on a powerball ticket

So…if your lucky numbers have

“almost” come up in the last 5 drawings, are

your chances better, worse, or the same?

1.1% 65%

5.6% 0.2%

Research shows about what percentage of college students have a gambling problem?

About 5.6%

of college students have a gambling problem.

~1 in 20 people

PATHOLOGICAL: Persistent gambling behavior...results in the LOSS OF CONTROL over

gambling. (DSM-IV)

PROBLEM

GAMBLING:

Gambling

behavior which

causes disruptions

in any major area

of life:

psychological,

physical, social, or

vocational.

“PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING” also called“compulsive gambling” or “gambling addiction”

Definitions

Levels of Gambling

No Gambling

Experimentation

Social Problem

Pathological

1.7%

Source: Moore, TL. (2006). Oregon Gambling Prevalence Replication Study. http://gamblingaddiction.org/

About 1 in 37 people with a problem

At-Risk

1.0%

HOOKEDHOOKED

Brain is affected

Tolerance develops

Loss of control

like other “addictions”

…but harder to detect

“Addiction” Connection

More easily hiddenCan’t “overdose”

physicallyCan’t be testedNothing is

ingested/snorted/smoked

What society thinks about it

Loss of controlDenialDepression/mood

swingsTakes a while to

progressUsed as an escapePreoccupationSimilar “highs”

DifferencesSimilarities

Thanks to Andy Cartmill of Washington County HHS for this slide content

Signs of Problem Gambling

“Chases” losses Lies to

others/hides it Commits crime Has jeopardized

relationships Relies on others

to bail him/her out

Preoccupied with it Needs to bet more

& more Unsuccessfully tries

to quit Restless or irritable

when trying to cut down/stop

Gambles as an escape

Name at least 2 consequences that

someone may experience due to his/her gambling

problem

DebtCrimeDepression/SuicideRelationship problemsEmployment problemsAlcohol and/or drug problems

Sports betsLottery ticketsVideo & onlineBingo & raffles

Video lottery

& online gambling

Electronic Gambling

89% Cards6%

Other5%

Gambling Treatment ClientsGamblers' Preferences

Internet gambling tricks:

Can you name one?

Advertising Strategies

18 25

21 65

At what age is the

brain considered

fully developed?

The brain isn’t fully The brain isn’t fully

developed until developed until 2525Decision-making still developingAmygdala active – Fight or flight, emotion– Decision-making altered

Brain especially sensitive to dopamine

1. Source: Ramoski, S., Nystrom, R. (2007, summer). The Changing Adolescent Brain. Northwest Public Health. http://www.nwpublichealth.org/archives/s2007/adolescent-brain

“The adolescent brain is especially sensitive to the

effects of dopamine, a chemical neurotransmitter that is activated by substance use, exposure to high-intensity

media, and gambling, as well as food and sex. “ 1

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

Gambling & The “Doped” Brain

Decisions that will likely cause us to lose money vs. win money

How can I tell the difference?

1-877-MY-LIMIT

FREE and Confidential

Gamblers + Loved Ones

Under $100$100-$1,000

$1,000-$2,500More than $2,500

Problem gambling treatment is ‘free’ in Oregon for gamblers AND loved ones.

Thank You! For More Info…

Facebook: facebook.com/preventionpage