GAMES Presentation DMHAS Problem Gambling Services 2011 1

GAMES Presentation

DMHAS Problem Gambling Services 20111

GAMES GAMES Gambling Education of Monroe through Gambling Education of Monroe through

Educating our StudentsEducating our Students

• Initiated November, 2000Initiated November, 2000

• Youth-Adult PartnershipYouth-Adult Partnership

• School & Community “Buy In”School & Community “Buy In”

• Evolved into a Peer-to-Peer & Peer-to- Evolved into a Peer-to-Peer & Peer-to- Adult prevention program to reduce the Adult prevention program to reduce the harm associated with the participation in harm associated with the participation in gambling by students.gambling by students.


Gambling is: The act of risking something of value, including money and property, on an

activity that has an uncertain outcome.

Problem Gambling: gambling behavior that results in problems with work, school, family, or finances, but does not meet the number of criteria to be recognized as:

Compulsive/Pathological Gambling: meets the APA Diagnostic & Statistical Manual IV criteria for the impulse disorder of pathological gambling.


GAMES Core ConceptsGAMES Core Concepts

• Games is not “anti-gambling”.Games is not “anti-gambling”.

• Students are taught how to:Students are taught how to:– Make Healthy ChoicesMake Healthy Choices– Reduce their Risk of AddictionReduce their Risk of Addiction– Set their Personal LimitsSet their Personal Limits– Recognize Risks/Warning Signs in OthersRecognize Risks/Warning Signs in Others

• Three Important MessagesThree Important Messages

Three Important Messages

1. It is OK to choose not to gamble.

2. It is not OK for you to gamble illegally.

3. If you choose to gamble, we want you to know how to reduce the risk of developing gambling problems.


Warning Signs of a Gambling Problem

Might be similar signs of alcohol and other drug problems

– Lying to friends/family about gambling;– Avoiding/neglecting responsibilities/problems due to

preoccupation with gambling;– Frequent mood swings;– Gambling to solve problems & change mood;– Conflicts in relationships;– Making unsuccessful attempts to cut back or stop;– Seemingly irresistible urges to gamble; and …


and…

• Borrowing $ to gamble;• “Chasing” after lost $ by further gambling;• Theft of goods or $ to gamble.

“If it causes a problem, it IS a problem.”


“Age of Onset”

• “The earlier people begin gambling, the more likely they are to experience problems from gambling.” National Academy of Sciences, 2001

• 33 % of students classified as possible “problem or pathological gamblers” reported starting gambling at age 8 or younger.

CT Youth Gambling Report 2008


Gambling Opportunities are EVERYWHERE

Home/Dorm/Party Poker tournaments

School: Study Hall, Lunch, Bus to School/Sports

School and Community Organization Sponsored events

On-line Contests Internet Gambling Courses on Gambling

TV ShowsFamily and FriendsChurch and Charity

EventsRafflesCasinosLotteriesVideo GamesSports Betting


Consequences of Socially Acceptable Gambling

Americans spend more $ on gambling (over $600 billion/yr) than on food ($400 billion/yr).

AP, 3/04

Average current debt gamblers who call the CT Problem gambling Helpline: $34,000 ($63,000 for SE CT callers, 2003). CCPG, 2006

27 to 47% of gambling industry revenue comes from problem gamblers. DMHAS PGS 2005


Gambling Revenue in the State of Connecticut

• State of CT made over $666 million from legalized gambling revenues in 2009 (a high of $718 in 2006) DSR, 2011

• State $ allocated for prevention, treatment, and research on PG: $0.

• Budget for treatment/prevention of problem gambling as legislated from CT Lottery funds: $1.9 million DMHAS PGS 2011

• State budget to advertise the CT Lottery: $10 million Hartford Courant August 2008


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GAMBLING IS SIMILAR TO ALCOHOL USE…

Legalized gambling is a recreational activity enjoyed by many people.Age restrictions limiting use by minors.Opportunities to gamble are numerous, and widely promoted. “Spectrum Disorder”: Range of Problem to Pathological.


Prevalence of Problem Gambling

• One out of twenty CT citizens will develop a gambling problem at some point in their lives.

• Each problem gambler impacts eight other people.

• Adult lifetime rate of problem & pathological gambling combined: 6%

• Youth PG Rates Twice That of Adults. •


Attitudes and Behaviors

Gambling behaviors are so “normative” that often certain activities are not even considered “gambling”.Parents’ attitudes have a critical impact on a child’s gambling.Visiting the casinos has become a regular pastime for many special populations.Even though they are not old enough to legally play the Lottery, giving young people lottery tickets as gifts is a common practice.


90% Gambled in past year.

42% Received instant lottery tickets as gifts.

13% of students who gamble can be classified as problem (5%) or pathological (7%) gamblers.

12% of all students have worry/concern over the gambling of a close family member.

Full Connecticut Youth Gambling Report available at www.ct.gov/dmhas/youthreport

Key Findings from Youth Gambling in CT, 2008


http://www.ct.gov/dmhas/youthreport

Youth Gambling at Schoolfrom CT Youth Gambling Report 2008

Youth Gambling at SchoolDares2.0%Lottery/Raffles

2.6%

Betting on Pools8.0%

Dice Games17.1%

Other5.0%

Card Games52.2%

Sports Betting13.1%

34% of respondents witnessed youth gambling at school.


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Populations At Risk

Youth: Underage & College Students Women Substance abuse & mental health clients and

people in recovery Older adults who gamble Internet users Athletes Cultures of luck/numbers People who live within 50 miles of a casino People who are employed by a casino

The rate of PG doubles within 50 miles of a casino. NGISC, 1999


Problem Gambling Awareness

• Is not anti-gambling.• Raises awareness through integrating the message in all

prevention programs across the lifespan.• Recommends that all “helping professionals” learn to

recognize and refer students/clients/program participants experiencing gambling problems or the gambling problems of a loved one;

• Suggests a review of policies on gambling & fundraisers and practices of allowing/promoting card play, raffles, sports betting pools, etc. (for schools, athletic teams, parent organizations, workplace, treatment centers, etc)

• Advocates for increased funding for prevention, treatment, research & evaluation.


Youth most vulnerable to developing gambling problems:

Have problems with impulsivity, hyperactivity;

Have been diagnosed with ADHD;Have a need for excitement, are truant, or

are early users of ATOD;Have emotional vulnerabilities, such as

low self-esteem, depression, feelings of alienation and loneliness. Deverensky & Gupta, 2007


Impact of Parent Attitudes & Impact of Parent Attitudes & Behaviors Behaviors

on Youth Gamblingon Youth Gambling

Parents attitudes do have Parents attitudes do have critical impact on a child’s critical impact on a child’s gambling.gambling.

Parent modeling and Parent modeling and engagement in gambling engagement in gambling with teens increases with teens increases likelihood of teen likelihood of teen gambling.gambling.

duBay Horton, GAMES Evaluation, duBay Horton, GAMES Evaluation, 20082008


Recognized Protective Factors

• Having a relationship with a caring adult role model;• Having an opportunity to contribute & be seen as a

resource/support;• Being effective in work, play, & relationships;• Having healthy expectations & a positive outlook;• Having a strong self-esteem & an internal locus of

control;• Being self-disciplined;• Using problem solving & critical thinking skills;• Earning meaningful rewards;• Having a sense of humor.


Special Note for Counselors

Due to the “co-occurring” nature of problem gambling, it is a good idea to include a “brief screen” on gambling in any mental health or substance abuse disorder assessment.


“Risk Factors” that increase the chances of someone developing a gambling problem include:

• Age/Gender• Child of a compulsive

gambler/SA• Belief that skill is involved• An early big win• History of loss/trauma• ADHD, impulsivity, hyper-

activity

• Early age of onset (8.5 years for pathological gamblers; 11.5 years for non-pathological gamblers)

• Need for excitement• Emotional vulnerabilities• Other risky behaviors,

ATOD


“Speed of Play”

The more rapid the “play”, the more risky the activity, making electronic gambling (slots, internet gambling,

lottery vending machines, etc.) more potentially addicting than

other forms of gambling.


0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Perceived Popularity of Gambling Types Among Youth

General 85% 80% 70% 65% 55% 51% 45% 44% 38% 29% 26% 18% 12% 11% 7%

CardsSB,

P eersP ools Internet

Scrtch Off

Lotto

Games of Skill

Video/ Arcade

Lottery Tickets

Dice Games

SB, Bookie

Bingo SlotsDomino Games

Animal Races

Animal Fights

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How does gambling relate to what we now know about adolescent

brain development?

Visit this website to view a 5 minute film by psychologist Ken Winters

www.drugfree.org/teenbrain

1. Register with name/email

2. Click on “enter site”

3. Video in lower right of screen


http://www.drugfree.org/teenbrain

Ken Winter, PhD. Says….

• Seat of Sober Second Thought is located in frontal cortex, which is

the last to develop.

www.youthgambling.com

1/ Teenagers are not thoughtful and careful decision makers;

2/Adolescents vulnerable to gambling;

3. Teen Gamblers -–early onset of alcohol & gambling which is tied to adult problems

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John W. Welte,Journal of Gambling Studies, 3/11

‘After age 21, problem gambling is considerably more common among U.S.

adults than alcohol dependence, even though alcohol dependence has received much more

attention.’

Researchers at University of Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions.

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Problem Gambling Helpline 800-346-6238 or

PG Chat: problemgambling.org

For people with gambling problems and those impacted by them.24/7, Free, Confidential, Interpreter services available

CT DMHAS Problem Gambling ServicesPrevention Services

Susan McLaughlin, Primary Prevention Services Coordinator 860-262-5983 or [email protected]

www.ct.gov/dmhas/problemgambling


mailto:[email protected]

http://www.ct.gov/dmhas/problemgambling

Documents

GAMES Presentation DMHAS Problem Gambling Services 2011 1