1. Massachusetts State Lottery Your Role in Keeping Gambling Fun: Addressing Responsible and Problem Gambling
Marlene D. Warner,
Executive Director
The Massachusetts Council
on Compulsive Gambling

2. Goals and Objectives
Recognize difference between gambling for entertainment and when it’s a problem
Understand how and why that has happened for that individual
Feel comfortable in the approach
Know tools and resources to offer to someone
Build relationship and comfort with colleagues when discussing this issue

3. Why Responsible Gambling Matters
Provides a set of values and principles to guide your work at the lottery.
Gives confidence to players that MA Lottery keep their interests in mind.
Builds public trust in the integrity of the lottery.

4. Introduction Exercise
Name
Length of time at the lottery
Finish sentence, “Besides working or spending time with my family, I am happiest when…”

5. Language is important Gambling vs. Gaming
Responsible Gambling or Social Gambling
Problem gambling, pathological gambling, compulsive gambling, gambling disorder, or gambling addiction

6. Definitions
Gambling: “… risking something of value on the outcome of an event when the probability of winning is less than certain.”
(David A. Korn & Howard J. Shaffer, Journal of Gambling Studies, Winter 1999, Vol #4, pg. 292)

7. Definitions
Problem Gambling: is the term used to cover the entire range of harmful gambling involvement. That is, gambling that results in some kind of negative impact on the person’s life or on the lives of the gambler’s family, friends, and/or
co-workers. It can be an occasional impact or an ongoing and serious situation.

8. Definitions
DSM-5 definition of gambling disorder: “Persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior that disrupts personal, family or vocational pursuits.”

9. Gambling Disorder Rates
Research indicates that between 2%-3.5% of the U.S. adult population has experienced adverse consequences from gambling in their lifetimes (Kessler et al., 2008; Petry et al., 2005).
Special populations often have more of a problem: age, race/ethnicity, job type, etc

10. Findings from Gambling and Problem Gambling in Massachusetts: Results of a Baseline Population Survey. (2015) Volberg, R. A., et al.

11. Levels of Gambling Continuum of Problems In Treatment No Gambling
Healthy Gambling
Unhealthy Gambling
In Treatment
No Gambling
Gambling w/ No Adverse Consequences
Gambling w/ Some Adverse Consequences
Gambling w/ Severe Adverse Consequences

12. DSM-V Criteria In Substance Related and Addictive Disorders Section
A. Persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior as indicated by 4 or more:
often preoccupied with gambling
needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve desired excitement
repeated unsuccessful efforts to control gambling
restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop
after losing, often returns another day to get even

13. DSM-V Criteria
lies to others to conceal extent of involvement with gambling
has jeopardized or lost significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity due to gambling
relies on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling
B. The gambling behavior is not better accounted for by a Manic Episode.

14. High Risk Categories
Child of a person with a gambling disorder (or other addiction)
Belief that skill is involved
An early big win
Feeling that one must chase gambling loss with more gambling
Early age of onset (8.5 years for people with gambling problems; 11.5 years for people without pg)
Large first bets
Otherwise addicted or mental health disorder
Everything to win and nothing to lose

15. Characteristics of Low Risk Gambling
For fun or recreation, never for financial gain
Knowledge that over time nearly everyone loses
Socially with family and friends, not alone
Limited time – frequency and duration
With predetermined limits for losses
Acknowledging that knowing a lot does not make you a better gambler

16. Three Phases of Problem Gambling
Winning Phase
Losing Phase
Desperation Phase

17. The Winning Phase Winning Phase
Experience a "big win" or a series of smaller wins that result in excess optimism
Feel an unrealistic sense of power and control and are excited by the prospect of more wins.
Continually involved in high-risk bets.

18. The Losing Phase Losing Phase
May brag about past wins, but in the immediate situation, they're losing more than winning.
More likely to gamble alone
When not gambling, they’re more likely to spend time thinking about how and when they’ll gamble next.
Concerned with how they’ll raise more money, legally or illegally. Start borrowing money.
Dominant pattern of losing. Making the next bet becomes more important than the winning of any previous bets.
As the losing continues, they start lying to family and friends and feeling more irritable, restless, and emotionally isolated.
May be developing some serious financial problems.
Likely to start chasing their losses, trying to win back what they lost.

19. The Desperation Phase Desperation Phase
May now make bets more often than is normal, in more desperate attempts to catch up and "get even."
Gambling is now out of control and associated with deep remorse, with blaming others, and with the alienation of family and friends.
May engage in illegal activities to finance their gambling.
May experience a sense of hopelessness and think about suicide and divorce.
Other addictions and emotional problems may also intensify during this phase and drag them down.
NEXT

20. Case
Carter is a middle-aged man who usually plays scratch tickets a few times during the week. Last week he was there every night and today he yelled at the guest next to him for jinxing his system. He started loudly complaining about “all the winners being sent elsewhere.” When you walked over to see what was going on he you heard him say, “What’s the point anymore anyway? We’re going to lose the house and my wife will probably divorce me when she finds out. I’m a dead man walking.”
Which of the three phases of problem gambling do you think Carter is in?
Winning
Losing
Desperation

21. Case
Greg is 23 years old. He works full-time at a local sporting goods store. He goes to the bar to play Keno about twice a week with friends. He likes the atmosphere – good music and great people. It helps him relax. And the extra money is great! Last week he won $1,000.00! This week he has gone twice with friends and twice by himself. He feels like his next win is just around the corner!
Which of the three phases of problem gambling do you think Greg is in?
Winning
Losing
Desperation

22. Be Aware What was the person acting like when he came in?
How long did it take for her behavior to intensify?
Was there a specific moment when you noticed a change and what caused that?
What else do you know about this person? How can that be used to assess the situation?

23. The 4 Levels of Responsible Gaming
Level 4: Continuous improvement
Level 3: Planning and implementation
Level 2: Self-assessment and gap analysis
Level 1: Commitment

24. Principles of Responsible Gambling
Sales
Advertising, marketing and communications
Research
Employee Training
Game Design
Remote gaming channels
Player education
Treatment Referral
Stakeholder engagement
Reporting, measurement and certification
Security

25. Responsible Gambling Tips
Play for entertainment, not for money.
Set money and time limits for gaming and stick to them. Part of entertainment budget; make sure they can afford to lose it.
Gambling is your choice. You shouldn’t allow yourself or others to pressure you to play.
Take a break and participate in other forms of entertainment. Gambling should be a fun but limited part of a well-balanced lifestyle; not necessary to have fun.
You should avoid gaming when you’re upset, lonely, angry, depressed, or stressed.
Gambling is not advised for those in recovery for addictive disorders or dependencies.

26. MA Lottery Responsible
Gambling Resources
You
Your colleagues
Your supervisor
GameSense (check out

27. Questions?