Transcript Let's Talk About Gambling - Problem Gambling Prevention

Let’s Talk About
Gambling
• What is the history of gambling in the United States and
Oregon?
• How big is gambling?
• What are types of lawful or charitable gambling?
• Define common gambling terms.
• What are the positive and negative effects of gambling in
Oregon and in local communities?
• What are signs of compulsive gambling behavior?
• How does participation in gambling activities relate to family
situations?
• To gamble or not to gamble, that is the question?
The History of Gambling
Gambling has been around a long time. Our modern dice and
playing cards can be traced back to primitive people who
cast bones or sticks into the air.
Two of the primary forms of gambling throughout history have been
racing and lotteries.
• Horse racing has its roots in the chariot
races of Rome.
• The first state run lottery took place in Genoa,
in 1515 or about the time Martin Luther was protesting the
church’s sins.
• Horse racing in America began in New York in 1665.
Lawful Gambling
• In 1984, Oregon voters authorize a state-run lottery.
Scratch off tickets were introduced in 1985.
• In 1989, Oregon becomes the only state to offer
sports betting with the Sports Action Lottery.
• In 1991, Oregon becomes the first state to offer
Keno games every five minutes.
• In 1992, Video Lottery is legalized. Net revenues as
of 2001 were over 3 Billion dollars.
• In 1994, the first Native American casino opens in
Oregon.
• In 2003, Monday Night Football scratch off
tickets are offered.
Minimum Ages to Gamble
• 18 years old - Charitable bingo and pull
tabs, pari-mutel betting (e.g. race
track).
• Also 18 years old – Lottery, bingo and
blackjack.
• 21 years old – Video lottery and
tribal casinos.
Gambling Myths
Myth:
Problem gambling is easy
to recognize.
Reality: Problem gambling has
been called the hidden
addiction. Gambling is
easy to hide. Many
problem gamblers often
engage in self-denial.
Other Gambling Myths
Myth:
I’d have to gamble every day to be a
problem gambler.
Reality:
If gambling causes a person psychological, financial, emotional, marital, legal
or other difficulties then they have a
problem.
Myth:
Gambling isn’t a problem if you can
afford it.
Reality:
Problems caused by excessive
gambling aren’t just financial.
It can lead to relationship
breakdown and loss of important
friendships.
More Myths . . .
Myth:
All problem gamblers are irresponsible.
Reality:
Many problem gamblers hold, or have held
responsible community positions. In
addition, even people with a long history of
responsible behavior are vulnerable to
developing a gambling problem.
Myth:
People my age are not affected by problem
gambling.
Reality:
About 10 to 15 percent of American youth
have experienced gambling related
problems. Children of problem gamblers are
at higher risk of developing health
threatening behaviors.
Definition of Gambling
Webster’s defines gambling as:
A. To bet on an uncertain outcome,
as of contest. B. To play a game of chance.
To take a chance: speculate. 3. To
expose to risk: venture.
Problem gambling is defined as: “Gambling
behavior which causes disruptions in any
major area of life: psychological, physical,
social or vocational”. (National Council on Problem Gambling)
Gambling In Oregon
• More than 60,000 Oregon adults are believed
to meet the criteria of a problem gambler.
• One in every 25 Oregon teens is a problem
gambler – that’s more than 10,000 Oregon
teens!
• One in 10 teens is an “at-risk” gambler (he or
she may be moving towards a
gambling problem).
• Two-thirds of teens gamble at
least once a year.
Gambling History in
the United States
• Lotteries were used to pay war debts and
build public works. They were used in
Jamestown as early as 1612 and helped raise
the Colonial Army in 1775.
• Ivy league colleges were built with the help of
lottery dollars.
• George Washington personally signed
batches of lottery tickets.
• Eventually, scandal, bribery of legislators and
corruption led to constitutional prohibitions in
36 states.
Gambling History
in Oregon
• In Oregon, the current gambling cycle began in 1933.
The Oregon Racing Commission was established, and
monitored greyhound racing in the state.
• Oregon is currently among states with the top
gambling revenues, and is a leader in types and
availability of gambling.
What Problem Gamblers
Had to Say in 2002
• 10% considered committing suicide.
• 24% reported their gambling cost them
a marriage or significant relationship.
• 15% lost their jobs due to gambling.
• 40% committed crimes to finance their
gambling.
Spending Habits
• In 2004, Oregonians spent $1.277 billion on all forms
of gambling, equaling $357 per capita. (ECO Northwest,
2006)
• During fiscal year 2006, Lottery sales in Oregon were
$1.1 billion. (Oregon Lottery, 2006)
• Consumers spend more on legal gaming in the United
States than most other forms of entertainment
combined. (“1998 Gross Annual Wager Report, 1999)
To Gamble or Not To
Gamble
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Positive Effects
Casinos provide
employment and
increased income for
Native Americans.
Gaming is recreation.
Gaming provides social
activities.
Money generated in
Oregon helps fund
education and other
community programs.
To Gamble or Not to
Gamble
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Negative Effects
Gambling takes time and
money away from family.
Loss of trust.
Need for $ leads to debt,
theft, fraud, etc.
Addictive
Work or school may suffer
due to gambling.
Children feel neglected
due to parent’s gambling.
Gambling Words
Decoded
Casino:
A gambling facility that normally
includes some combination of slot
machines, video games, card
games and other games.
Charitable
Gaming or
Lawful
Gaming:
Games run by non-profit groups
under state regulation, such as
tabs, bingo and raffles.
More Decoded Words
Compulsive
Or Addictive
Gambling:
The inability to resist impulses
to gamble, resulting in damage
to one’s personal life, family or
job.
Craps:
The most popular dice game
in the world.
Keno:
A game in which players pick
numbers out of a grid and can
choose their own odds and
payoff.
A Few More Words . . .
Lotto:
A form of lottery. Jackpots are very
large, often pooled across states,
and increase daily until winning
numbers are drawn.
Video
Lottery
Terminal:
Electronic games played on a
video screen, typically poker,
keno, blackjack or slots.
Getting Help in Jackson County
Treatment is free for gamblers and loved ones!
You can speak to your counselor or teacher for more
information.
Local Treatment Providers:
Addictions Recovery Center
On Track
1-877-2-STOP-NOW
Helpline, available 24 hrs, everyday