Recognizing Problem Recognizing Problem GamblingGambling

Developed by Peter Walsh, MA, CGACII, NCGCIIDeveloped by Peter Walsh, MA, CGACII, NCGCIIPresented by Richard Johnson, MA, CGAC II, CADC Presented by Richard Johnson, MA, CGAC II, CADC

III, NCGC IIIII, NCGC II

Gambling Outreach/PreventionGambling Outreach/Prevention

What you’ll learnWhat you’ll learn

Understand gambling in OregonUnderstand gambling in Oregon

Signs of problem gamblingSigns of problem gambling

Effects of problem gamblingEffects of problem gambling

Similarities/differences substance Similarities/differences substance abuseabuse

Where to go for helpWhere to go for help

Gambling in Oregon is Gambling in Oregon is GrowingGrowing

Spirit Mt. Casino has replaced Multnomah Falls as our #1 tourist attraction

Societal Acceptance = More Societal Acceptance = More GamblersGamblers

Industry perpetuates a vision of gambling as Industry perpetuates a vision of gambling as entertaining, glamorous and as a means of entertaining, glamorous and as a means of achieving financial freedom.achieving financial freedom.

Recent surge in reality TV gambling showsRecent surge in reality TV gambling shows

Oregon NumbersOregon Numbers

2002 2002 Oregonians spent $1.18 billion on Oregonians spent $1.18 billion on allall forms of gambling, $447 per adult forms of gambling, $447 per adult 25% more than the national average*25% more than the national average*

2003 2003 20% increase in Video Poker Terminals 20% increase in Video Poker Terminals

2004 Ninth casino opened in Oregon2004 Ninth casino opened in Oregon

2005 The Lottery added slots2005 The Lottery added slots

20062006 Lottery exceeds $1 billion in sales, video Lottery exceeds $1 billion in sales, video lottery sales up 24% over previous yearlottery sales up 24% over previous year

Source: * Eco Northwest, 2005Source: * Eco Northwest, 2005

More Casinos?More Casinos?

Oregon Gambling: Summed UpOregon Gambling: Summed Up

Oregon has Oregon has moremore forms of legalized forms of legalized gambling and offers gambling and offers easiereasier access to access to gambling than almost any other stategambling than almost any other state

- AND - - AND - Oregon is a nationally recognized Oregon is a nationally recognized leaderleader

in treatment for gambling problemsin treatment for gambling problems

Source: National Ctr for the Study of Gambling, 2006

What is Gambling? What is Gambling?

Playing a game of chance or “skill” where Playing a game of chance or “skill” where money is placed at risk based on the money is placed at risk based on the uncertain outcome of a future eventuncertain outcome of a future event

ChanceChance, , SkillSkill, , MoneyMoney, , RiskRisk, , UncertainUncertain, , Future?Future?

Problem GamblingProblem Gambling

is an is an urgeurge to gamble despite harmful to gamble despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to negative consequences or a desire to stop.stop.

Chances of winning the big prize?

146 million to 1

Better Better oddsodds

Gambler’s FallacyGambler’s Fallacy

Gamblers think past performance predicts Gamblers think past performance predicts future events:future events:

Lucky streaksLucky streaks

Due a winDue a win

How Many adult problemgamblers in Oregon?

•more than 74,000 Oregon adults (2.7% of adults) (Moore, 2006)

•about 6,000 are over 62 years old (1.2%) (Moore, 2001)

What does problem What does problem gambling look like?gambling look like?

Increase in gambling time and locationsIncrease in gambling time and locations

Increase in size of bets Increase in size of bets

Increase in intensity of interest in gamblingIncrease in intensity of interest in gambling

Working up special occasions for gambling Working up special occasions for gambling

Boasting about wins; not talking about lossesBoasting about wins; not talking about losses

Exaggerated display of money and other Exaggerated display of money and other possessionspossessions

More clues…More clues…

Gambling when there is a crisisGambling when there is a crisis

Drop off in other activities/interestsDrop off in other activities/interests

Frequent absences from school, work and homeFrequent absences from school, work and home

Diversion of funds earmarked for other purposesDiversion of funds earmarked for other purposes

Hidden FundsHidden Funds

Personality changes (irritability/hostility)Personality changes (irritability/hostility)

Withdrawal from familyWithdrawal from family

Gambling-Substance Abuse Gambling-Substance Abuse ComparedCompared

SimilaritiesSimilarities– Withdrawal symptomsWithdrawal symptoms– ToleranceTolerance– Self-help groupsSelf-help groups– Loss of controlLoss of control– PreoccupationPreoccupation– Negative impact on major life areasNegative impact on major life areas– Use of ritualsUse of rituals

Gambling-Substance Abuse Gambling-Substance Abuse ComparedCompared

DifferencesDifferences– Gambling is not self-limitingGambling is not self-limiting– Behavior is not attributable to intoxicationBehavior is not attributable to intoxication– Unpredictable outcomeUnpredictable outcome– Fantasies of success/quitting is giving up hopeFantasies of success/quitting is giving up hope– No biological testNo biological test– Easier to hideEasier to hide– Greater financial problemsGreater financial problems– Intensity of family angerIntensity of family anger– Less public awareness and acceptanceLess public awareness and acceptance

Costs of problem gambling Costs of problem gambling 25 - 50 percent of spouses abused25 - 50 percent of spouses abused 10 to 17 percent of children neglected or 10 to 17 percent of children neglected or

abused abused Of 1,986 receiving treatment in 2006/2007Of 1,986 receiving treatment in 2006/2007

average gambling debt was $26,099 average gambling debt was $26,099 99 clients had debts of over $100,00099 clients had debts of over $100,00057% jeopardized or lost a significant relationship or 57% jeopardized or lost a significant relationship or

job job 21% committed illegal acts to obtain gambling money21% committed illegal acts to obtain gambling money28% had alcohol problems; 12% drug problems28% had alcohol problems; 12% drug problems21% reported suicidal thoughts and 7% reported 21% reported suicidal thoughts and 7% reported

having having made an attemptmade an attempt

The More Problem Gamblers, the The More Problem Gamblers, the More Gambling Related CrimesMore Gambling Related Crimes

Moore & Marotta ( 2006). Moore & Marotta ( 2006). – 43% of women and 38% of men entering gambling 43% of women and 38% of men entering gambling

treatment reported to have committed an illegal act related treatment reported to have committed an illegal act related to their gambling.to their gambling.

National Gambling Impact Study Commission (1999).National Gambling Impact Study Commission (1999).– A third of problem and pathological gamblers had been A third of problem and pathological gamblers had been

arrested, compared to 10% of low-risk gamblers and 4% of arrested, compared to 10% of low-risk gamblers and 4% of non-gamblers non-gamblers

Embezzler’s sentenced: Embezzler’s sentenced: 8 years8 years

West Linn- During West Linn- During

sentencing for stealing sentencing for stealing $1.4 million, the city’s $1.4 million, the city’s former finance chief former finance chief talks of “terrible shame”talks of “terrible shame”

The Oregonian, The Oregonian,

November 18, 2006November 18, 2006

Gambling Treatment in OregonGambling Treatment in Oregon

Oregon has 27 outpatient gambling Oregon has 27 outpatient gambling treatment programstreatment programs

3 crisis-respite programs3 crisis-respite programs 1 residential treatment program1 residential treatment program Free treatmentFree treatment for gamblers and for gamblers and

family membersfamily members

Gambling Treatment in Gambling Treatment in Multnomah County:Multnomah County:

1- 1- Cascadia Behavioral Health Care Cascadia Behavioral Health Care

2415 SE 432415 SE 43rdrd. Avenue, Suite 200. Avenue, Suite 200

Portland, Oregon 97206Portland, Oregon 97206

(503) 239-5952(503) 239-5952

2- 2- InActInAct

727 NE 24727 NE 24thth Avenue Avenue

Portland, Oregon 97232Portland, Oregon 97232

(503) 228-9229(503) 228-9229

Gambling Treatment in Gambling Treatment in Multnomah County :Multnomah County :

3- 3- Lifeworks NWLifeworks NW 4925 N Albina4925 N Albina Portland, Oregon 97217Portland, Oregon 97217 (503) 548-4922(503) 548-4922 (African American Specific Services)(African American Specific Services)

4- 4- NARA NorthwestNARA Northwest 1776 SW Madison St.1776 SW Madison St. Portland, Oregon 97205Portland, Oregon 97205 (503) 896-2946(503) 896-2946 (503) 224-1044 #262(503) 224-1044 #262

Gambling Treatment in Gambling Treatment in Multnomah County :Multnomah County :

4-4- OHSU Behavioral Health Clinic OHSU Behavioral Health Clinic

621 SW Alder Street, #520621 SW Alder Street, #520

Portland, Oregon 97205Portland, Oregon 97205

(503) 494-4745(503) 494-4745

Problem Gambling Help Line:Problem Gambling Help Line:Free and confidential; staffed by professional counselorsFree and confidential; staffed by professional counselors

Phone: 1 (877) MY LIMIT (1-877-695-4648)Phone: 1 (877) MY LIMIT (1-877-695-4648) 1(877)-2-STOP-NOW (1-877-278-6766)1(877)-2-STOP-NOW (1-877-278-6766)

Online: 1877mylimit.org (chat, IM, email)Online: 1877mylimit.org (chat, IM, email)

To sum it up…To sum it up… Problem gambling is a real and growing Problem gambling is a real and growing

concern concern Effects about 1 in 37 adults.Effects about 1 in 37 adults. Help is available for gamblers and family Help is available for gamblers and family

membersmembers 81% of clients reported either no gambling 81% of clients reported either no gambling

or reduced gambling at 6-months post-or reduced gambling at 6-months post-treatmenttreatment

Treatment is Treatment is freefree, , confidentialconfidential and and effectiveeffective