Alcohol and Substance Abuse Council of Jefferson County, Inc. 167 Polk Street, Suite 320 Watertown, NY Voice: Fax: Web: Adapted from: Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance

Objectives Define problem gambling Talk about gambling, risks and consequences Provide a review of the impact of youth & adult problem gambling

Gambling: Acceptable Part of Society Scratch offs Lottery numbers drawn live on TV Billboards, TV, radio ads Gambling on cell phones & Internet Odds on sports events carried daily in newspapers Sports betting Church or benevolent associations bingo and raffles Casinos Poker tournaments Gov. Cuomo Proposition 1

First Generation of Youth This 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 Defined To 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 Gambling Problem 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 Statistics The 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 Grade6 th Grade 8 th Grade 10 th Grade 12 th Grade % of Youth Gambling27.8%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 Grade Bet on CardsBet on SportsPlayed the LotteryBet on Games of Skill 6 th 18.7%12%12.4%8.6% 8 th 13.4%16.3%18.3%11.9% 10 th 12.9%18.8%17.8%11.3% 12 th 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 Impact CAGNY 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, bankruptcy Spiritual/Psychological: depression, suicide Social: isolation, withdrawal Family:, disintegration of relationships, neglect and abuse Vocational: 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 behavior Sudden drop in grades Absences from school Unusual 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 possessions Stealing, shoplifting, selling possessions, or theft from family to pay debts

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Two Decisions Not to gamble at all. To gamble legally, socially, recreationally, occasionally, and appropriately.

Characteristics of Low-Risk Gambling Fun or recreation – not financial gain With friends or colleagues – not alone For limited time periods – both frequency and duration Within 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 others Gambling to cope with the death or loss of a loved one When 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.

Resources Alcohol and Substance Abuse Council of Jefferson County Inc., , Local Gamblers’ Anonymous Information & Hotline NYS Problem Gambling 24-Hour Hopeline HOPENY Gam-Anon (for families) , New York Council on Problem Gambling,