1. Addressing adolescent gambling and problem/addictive gambling
Rose Blozinski
Executive Director

2. A Little Bit About Myself…

3. The WCPG’s Mission Statement
The Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling, Inc. provides resources, public awareness and education on gambling disorders while maintaining strict neutrality on the issue of legalized gambling.

4. The WCPG… is the only organization in the State of Wisconsin that is dedicated solely to helping those impacted by problem gambling.

5. WCPG’S Public Awareness Campaign
Statewide Conference
Middle/High School Outreach
Public Relations/Awareness Media Campaign
Awareness of Therapists
Helpline

6. Public Awareness Campaign(cont.)
Bus Ads
Yellow Pages
Posters
Brochures/Booklets
Bathroom Ads
Billboards

7. CHAT LINE: wi-problelmgamblers.org
1-800-GAMBLE-5 Helpline
The WCPG 24-hour Helpline GAMBLE-5 provides information and referrals for gamblers, family members, concerned friends and employers who have financial, legal or other difficulties because of gambling.
The WCPG has a database of qualified treatment providers, Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon chapters to which callers can be referred.
Informational packets of literature can also be mailed to callers.
TEXT LINE: HOPE(4673)
CHAT LINE: wi-problelmgamblers.org

8. 2018 Wisconsin Helpline Calls
13,867 Calls in 2018
Average Debt Amount: $68,000

9. Gambling Availability
Legal Gambling in all states except Utah and Hawaii.
44 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands have Lotteries
37 States have Casinos
43 States have Pari-mutuel Betting
38 States have Off Track Betting
3 States have Online Gambling

10. It’s not just a game
Gamblers, both adults and adolescents gamble for many reasons including:
The potential to win money
Fun and excitement
The “escape” factor
Alleviates feelings of depression and loneliness

11. People gamble because:
Looking for a way to “get rich quick”
Demand for immediate gratification---inability or unwillingness to control impulses
Boredom
Feeling “disconnected” at home, work, or other social settings
Increased access to gambling opportunities
Increased access: internet gambling, establishments that allow play by minors, parents who teach their children how to place a bet on a horse race or scratch off a lottery ticket, etc.

12. People Gamble Because(continued)
Seeking Entertainment
Looking for a challenge
Escape

13. Gambling Statistics

14. $70 BILLION is lost in legal gambling activities in the U.S.
(Taken from “International Gaming and Wagering”)

15. 5-7% of adults

16. 6 to 20 percent of youth are addicted to gambling

17. 20.2% of problem gamblers ages 12-17 also use alcohol weekly
(Taken from New York Council on Problem Gambling, Inc.)

18. 12% of teens age 17 have a serious problem with gambling

19. 32% of high school students gamble weekly.

20. 79.1% of 7th graders are involved in some type of gambling.

21. $200 BILLION a year is spent on illegal gambling activities in the U.S.
(Taken from the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc.)

22. 65% of compulsive gamblers commit crimes to finance their gambling.

23. 78% of recovering compulsive gamblers reported thoughts of suicide.
(Taken from “WAGER” Weekly Addiction Gambling Education Report)

24. DEFINITIONS
Gambler’s Anonymous definition of gambling: “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.”
( Gambler’s Anonymous, March 1994, Handbook)

25. Gambling Disorder – The “Official” Definition
Gambling Disorder – The “Official” Definition
A progressive disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to gamble. A preoccupation with gambling and with obtaining money to gamble. A continuation of behavior despite adverse consequences.

26. Diagnostic Criteria for Problem Gambling—DSM-5

27. Gambling Disorder: DSM-5 Criteria
A. Persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as indicated by the individual exhibiting four (or more) of the following in a 12-month period:
Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement.
Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.
Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling.
Is often preoccupied with gambling (e.g., having persistent thoughts of reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble).
Persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as indicated by the individual exhibiting four (or more) of the following in a 12-month period:
Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement.
Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.
Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling.
Is often preoccupied with gambling (e.g., having persistent thoughts of reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble).
Often gambles when feeling distressed (e.g., helpless, guilty, anxious, depressed).
After losing money gambling, often returns another day to get even (“chasing” one’s losses).
Lies to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.
Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling.
Relies on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling.

28. Pathological Disorder: DSM-5 Criteria
Often gambles when feeling distressed (e.g., helpless, guilty, anxious, depressed).
After losing money gambling, often returns another day to get even (“chasing” one’s losses).
Lies to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.
Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling.
Relies on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling.

29. Gambling Disorder: DSM-5 Criteria
B. The gambling behavior is not better explained by a manic episode.
Specify if: Episodic: Meeting diagnostic criteria at more than one time point, with symptoms subsiding between periods of gambling disorder for at least several months.  Persistent: Experiencing continuous symptoms, to meet diagnostic criteria for multiple years.
Specify if: In early remission: After full criteria for gambling disorder were previously met, none of the criteria for gambling disorder have been met for at least 3 months but for less than 12 months.  In sustained remission: After full criteria for gambling disorder were previously met, none of the criteria for gambling disorder have been met during a period of 12 months or longer.

30. Specify current severity: Mild: 4–5 criteria met
Specify current severity: Mild: 4–5 criteria met. Moderate: 6–7 criteria met. Severe: 8–9 criteria met. From the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (section ).

31. Three Types of Gambling
Social Gambling
At-Risk Gambling(Problem)
Compulsive Gambling

32. Compulsive Gambling is:
Hidden disease
No saturation point
Compared to the crack cocaine addiction
Impulse control disorder
Still considered to be a “moral” weakness
Very often accompanied by other disorders
Major depression, mood disorders, antisocial personality disorders, generalized anxiety

33. Annual Wisconsin Social costs
Anesthetizes
High suicide rate
Wisconsin-333,000
Annual Wisconsin Social costs
$307 million

34. High Risk Groups
Adolescents
Seniors
Dually addicted

35. Types of Gamblers ACTION GAMBLERS- ESCAPE GAMBLERS
Are primarily men-they gamble at “skill’ games such as poker or other card games, horse and do racing and sports betting
ESCAPE GAMBLERS
Escape gamblers gamble to find relief from feelings of anxiety, depression, anger, boredom or loneliness. Gambling is used to escape from crisis or other difficulties. Provides an analgesic effect.

36. Did you know adolescent problem gamblers…
Have lower self-esteem compared with other adolescents?
Have higher rates of depression and report higher suicidal
tendencies and attempts?

37. Know The Risk
Research has shown that gambling has been linked with other categories of high-risk behavior. Research has shown a connection between gambling and substance abuse, ruined credit, problems with the law and suicide.
Know

38. Know the facts
In the past 10 years, the number of teens ages 12 to 17 reporting serious gambling problems has increased from 50 to 66 percent.
Early involvement in gambling now precedes the expected onset for use of cigarettes, hard liquor and marijuana.
Pathological Gambling: A Critical Review, National Research Council, National Academy Press, 19999, p.114
Juvenile Gambling in North America: An Analysis of Long-term Trends and Future Prospects” in Journal of Gambling Studies, 16 (2/3),2000, p. 127

39. Know The Facts(continued)
Youth who exhibit problem gambling behavior are more likely to report illegal activities, problems with the law, poorer school performance and more truancy.
“Juvenile Gambling in North America: An Analysis of Long-term Trends and Future Prospects” in Journal of Gambling Studies, 16 (2/3), 2000,p. 135

40. Fact:
Adolescents are two to four times more likely than adults to have a gambling
problem.
Social gambling can quickly move to problem gambling.
People with other addictions are at higher risk to become addicted to gambling.
Studies have indicated that kids who gamble are more likely to drink, carry a gun
and fight.
Suicide rates are 20 times higher among pathological gamblers compared to
non-gamblers.

41. Profile of the Typical Gambler
Successful
Motivated
Intelligent(often I.Q or higher)
Competitive
History of good or excellent performance at school or work
Alcohol or Substance abuse has not been a part of regular behavior

42. Profile(continued)
No longer participates in hobbies or extracurricular activities
Holds high expectations of self and others- perfectionist
Bored easily in social settings-looks for new situations to keep up feelings

43. Consequences of Compulsive Gambling
Alienation from family and friends
Loss of educational or career opportunities
Participating in illegal activities to prolong gambling
Depression or other mood changes
Panic attack
Suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts

44. Possible Signs of Problem Gambling
Increasing the frequency and amount of money gambled.
Spending excessive amounts of time gambling at the expense of job or family.
Pre-occupation with gambling or with obtaining money to gamble.
Secretive behavior.

45. Signs of Gambling(continued)
Borrowing or stealing money to gamble.
Missing important events or sneaking out of them to gamble.
Arguing with friends or family about gambling.
Thinking that most problems would be solved by getting a big win.

46. Signs of Gambling(continued)
Bragging about wins, not talking about losses.
“Chasing”
Thinking that the odds can be outsmarted.
Disappearing for long periods of time.

47. Progression of Gambling Disorder
Winning
Growth
Big Win
Chasing
Losing
Rebuilding
Borrowing
Desperation
Stealing
Critical
Hopelessness

48. Co-Occurring Disorders
Depression
Bi-Polar
Suicide
Anxiety Disorders
Panic Attacks
Phobias

49. Co-Occurring Disorders
Substance Abuse
Alcoholism
Drug Addiction
ADHD
Personality Disorders
Antisocial Personality Disorder

50. Similarities Acquired tolerance Inability to stop
Denial and rationalization
Progression (phases/stages)
Depression, anxiety/mood
swings
Chasing the first win/high
First drink/first win
remembered
Blackouts/brownouts
High of gambling not unlike
cocaine rush

51. Differences Progression is more rapid with gambling disorder.
There is more secrecy with gambling disorder.
Gambling is a “hidden addiction” which allows for
less detection.
There is no saturation point, you cannot overdose
on gambling.
“Double or nothing” attempts to chase, control or
win.
Severe financial problems requiring immediate
attention.
No “test” can detect pathological gambling.
No ingestion is required for the high.
There are minimal resources available for
gamblers and their families.

52. Prevention WCPG Outreach Program Free programming
Tailored to meet class time
Interactive
Short educational piece
Game
Posters
Promo items

53. RESOURCES
The Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling has the most current information on specific support group meetings and counseling services:
1-800-GAMBLE-5 ( )
Chat Line Available
TEXT HOPE

54. RESOURCES National Treatment & Education Resources
The National Council on Problem Gambling
730 11th Street NW., Suite 601
Washington, DC 20001
National Helpline: Chat: ncpgambling.org/chat Text: 

55. Help is Available, Call:
1-800-GAMBLE-5
24 Hours a Day

56. Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling
My Info
Rose Blozinski
Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling
1585 Allouez Ave.
Green Bay, WI 54311
(920) or
1-800-GAMBLE-5