GAMES Presentation DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

GAMES Gambling Education of Monroe through Educating 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- Adult prevention program to reduce the harm associated with the participation in gambling by students.Evolved into a Peer-to-Peer & Peer-to- Adult prevention program to reduce the harm associated with the participation in gambling by students. DMHAS Problem Gambling Services 2011

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. DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

GAMES Core Concepts Games is not “anti-gambling”.Games is not “anti-gambling”. Students are taught how to:Students are taught how to: –Make Healthy Choices –Reduce their Risk of Addiction –Set their Personal Limits –Recognize 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. DMHAS Problem Gambling Services 2011

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 … DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

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.” DMHAS Problem Gambling Services 2011

“Age of Onset” “The earlier people begin gambling, the more likely they are to experience problems from gambling.” National Academy of Sciences, % of students classified as possible “problem or pathological gamblers” reported starting gambling at age 8 or younger. CT Youth Gambling Report 2008 DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

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 Shows  Family and Friends  Church and Charity Events  Raffles  Casinos  Lotteries  Video Games  Sports Betting DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

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 DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

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 DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

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. DMHAS Problem Gambling Services 2011

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. DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

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. DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

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 Key Findings from Youth Gambling in CT, 2008 DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

Youth Gambling at School from CT Youth Gambling Report % of respondents witnessed youth gambling at school. DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

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 DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

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. DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

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 DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

Impact of Parent Attitudes & Behaviors on Youth Gambling  Parents attitudes do have critical impact on a child’s gambling.  Parent modeling and engagement in gambling with teens increases likelihood of teen gambling. duBay Horton, GAMES Evaluation, 2008 DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

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. DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

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. DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

“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 DMHAS Problem Gambling Services 2011

“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. DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

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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 Register with name/ 2. Click on “enter site” 3. Video in lower right of screen DMHAS Problem Gambling Services

Ken Winter, PhD. Says…. Seat of Sober Second Thought is located in frontal cortex, which is the last to develop. 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 27

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. 28

Problem Gambling Helpline 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 Services Prevention Services Susan McLaughlin, Primary Prevention Services Coordinator or DMHAS Problem Gambling Services