Youth Gambling and Problem Gambling Joanna Franklin MS NCGC II Maryland Council on Problem Gambling From a review by: Jeff Derevensky PhD and Rina Gupta PhD McGill University, Montreal Canada

Gambling behavior can best be understood and measured along a continuum of risk. Gambling behavior can best be understood and measured along a continuum of risk. The continuum ranges from no gambling to social gambling to problem and pathological gambling The continuum ranges from no gambling to social gambling to problem and pathological gambling While most of us gamble responsibly, some of us fail to control our level of playing, or are unable to stop and fail to set and maintain reasonable limits. While most of us gamble responsibly, some of us fail to control our level of playing, or are unable to stop and fail to set and maintain reasonable limits. Problem gambling is a growing concern among children and youth. Problem gambling is a growing concern among children and youth. Youth Gambling and Problem Gambling

Youth Gambling and Problem Gambling No gamblingSocial gambling Problem Gambling Pathological None Mild Moderate Severe Gambling Problems Korn & Shaffer, 99 Brief Intensive Treatment Secondary Prevention Primary Prevention Harm Reduction Public Health Interventions

Problem and pathological gambling have a number of concomitant negative personal, familial, social, economic and health consequences. Problem and pathological gambling have a number of concomitant negative personal, familial, social, economic and health consequences. Prevalence rates in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the U. K. indicate about 80% of underage youth report gambling during the past year. Prevalence rates in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the U. K. indicate about 80% of underage youth report gambling during the past year. 4-6% experience severe problems and 10-15% are at risk for the development of a severe gambling problem. 4-6% experience severe problems and 10-15% are at risk for the development of a severe gambling problem. Adolescent prevalence rates of problem gamblers are greater than those of adults. Adolescent prevalence rates of problem gamblers are greater than those of adults.

Adolescent problem gamblers report beginning gambling at earlier ages, about 10 years of age. Adolescent problem gamblers report beginning gambling at earlier ages, about 10 years of age. Adolescents move rapidly from social gambler to problem gambler and report early gambling in the home and with family. Adolescents move rapidly from social gambler to problem gambler and report early gambling in the home and with family. Gambling is more popular among males and more problem gamblers are males. Gambling is more popular among males and more problem gamblers are males. Youth Problem Gambling Health and Social Correlates

Psychological Trauma/ Abuse Chaos/ Neglect Affective Lability Dysfunctional Self-Object Relations Dysfunctional Core Beliefs Avoidance and Omnipotence Inadequate Coping Skills Self- Deception Stress and Frustration Intolerance Identity Confusion Self-Soothing Deficits Over Indulgent Ego Deficits Irrational Thinking Pathological Gambling Illusion of control and fantasies of power and success. Allows escape from intolerable emotions. Creates fantasied identity. Belief in gambling as only solution and escape. Reenacts trauma and loss with illusion of gaining control. Regulates affect. L. Rugle PhD

There are more adolescents engaged in gambling than other potentially addictive behaviors. There are more adolescents engaged in gambling than other potentially addictive behaviors. Past Year Use %Weekly Use % Gr 7 Gr 9 Gr 11 Gr 7 Gr 9 Gr 11 Alcohol Drugs Cigarettes Gambling Grade 7 (12-13 yrs.) Grade 9 (14-15) Grade 11 (16-17) (Gupta & Derevensky, 1998a) (Gupta & Derevensky, 1998a)

About 4.2% of yr. olds have an alcohol About 4.2% of yr. olds have an alcohol abuse problem. abuse problem. About 2.3% have an illicit drug abuse problem (NHS-DA 01). About 2.3% have an illicit drug abuse problem (NHS-DA 01). Both are lower than the 4-6% of youth with severe gambling problems (Gupta & Derevensky 98a). Both are lower than the 4-6% of youth with severe gambling problems (Gupta & Derevensky 98a). Problem and pathological gambling result in: Problem and pathological gambling result in: increased delinquency and crime increased delinquency and crime disruption of familial relationships disruption of familial relationships decreased academic performance, higher truancy, poor grades decreased academic performance, higher truancy, poor grades higher rates of depression higher rates of depression higher rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts higher rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts Youth Problem Gambling Health and Social Correlates

Adolescent gamblers have lower self-esteem compared with other adolescents. Adolescent gamblers have lower self-esteem compared with other adolescents. Prone to engaging in multiple co-occurring addictive behaviors (smoking, drinking, drug use/abuse). Prone to engaging in multiple co-occurring addictive behaviors (smoking, drinking, drug use/abuse). Have been found to have a greater need for sensation seeking and more likely to take risks and to be excited and aroused while gambling. Have been found to have a greater need for sensation seeking and more likely to take risks and to be excited and aroused while gambling. Adolescent problem gamblers dissociate more frequently when gambling. Adolescent problem gamblers dissociate more frequently when gambling. Youth Problem Gambling Health and Social Correlates

Have poor general coping skills. Have poor general coping skills. Have difficulty conforming to social norms and experience difficulties with self-discipline. Have difficulty conforming to social norms and experience difficulties with self-discipline. Adolescents often fail to understand the risks or odds associated with gambling. Adolescents often fail to understand the risks or odds associated with gambling. Youth Problem Gambling Health and Social Correlates

Popular gambling among “regular” young gamblers is dependent on developmental level, gambling opportunities, Popular gambling among “regular” young gamblers is dependent on developmental level, gambling opportunities, Accessibility, legal restrictions, and cultural factors. Males: gamble on cards, sports pools, sporting events, games of skill. Males: gamble on cards, sports pools, sporting events, games of skill. Females: gamble on cards, lottery tickets, and bingo. Females: gamble on cards, lottery tickets, and bingo. Lottery remains the most preferred gambling activity for all adolescent gamblers. Lottery remains the most preferred gambling activity for all adolescent gamblers. Types of Gambling Popular Among Youth

Percentage of respondents reporting additional problems according to gambling severity (N=817) (Gupta & Derevensky, 1998) * grades 7, 9, & 11

Data from the 2006 Oregon Healthy Teens Survey Jeff Marotta PhD Problem Gambling Solutions Inc

Districts within counties and schools within districts were randomly selected Surveys were administered to nearly one-half of Oregon’s 8 th and 11 th graders Information was collected from about 30,000 students Participating students came from 248 schools in 34 counties Method

The Question

Students who gamble are significantly more likely to participate in other risk behaviors We know that high risk behaviors tend to cluster and gambling appears to fit within a risk behavior matrix What Does This Data Mean? More Plausible Interpretations..

Gambling is one of many activities that carry risk and should be addressed as such in school and community prevention efforts Gambling should be a signal to parents that they ought to be talking to teens about risky behaviors including gambling Implications

Few programs exist today. Few programs exist today. They have been aimed primarily at elementary and high school students. They have been aimed primarily at elementary and high school students. These programs are generally lectures, printed curricula, videos and/or CD-ROMS. These programs are generally lectures, printed curricula, videos and/or CD-ROMS. They vary from “scared straight tactics” to “show and tell” to early intervention with a few true primary prevention efforts. They vary from “scared straight tactics” to “show and tell” to early intervention with a few true primary prevention efforts. Prevention Initiatives

Current treatment paradigms for adolescent and young adults have in general been based upon a number of theoretical approaches and parallel those used for adults: Current treatment paradigms for adolescent and young adults have in general been based upon a number of theoretical approaches and parallel those used for adults: Psychoanalytic, psychodynamic Psychoanalytic, psychodynamic Behavioral Behavioral Cognitive Cognitive And cognitive-behavioral And cognitive-behavioral Psychopharmacological Psychopharmacological Biological/genetic Biological/genetic Addiction-based and self-help Addiction-based and self-help Currently there is no consensus on what constitutes best practice standards for treating adolescents with gambling problems. Currently there is no consensus on what constitutes best practice standards for treating adolescents with gambling problems. Treatment for Youth with Gambling Problems

National Council on Problem Gambling National Council on Problem Gambling US National Helpline Service US National Helpline Service Responsible Gaming Council of Ontario Responsible Gaming Council of Ontario McGill University Youth Gambling Research and Treatment Clinic McGill University Youth Gambling Research and Treatment Clinic Minnesota Institute of Public Health Minnesota Institute of Public Health Deal Me In, Table Talk, Improving the Odds etc. Deal Me In, Table Talk, Improving the Odds etc. Resources and References