|
|
|
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. What
exactly is "problem gambling"?
A.
"Problem Gambling" is the term used to describe gambling behavior,
which causes disruption in any important life function, whether psychological,
physical, social or vocational. This term is generally accepted to
include, but is not limited to "Pathological", a.k.a., "Compulsive"
gambling. Compulsive Gambling is a progressive addiction characterized
by increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money
more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop
gambling, "chasing" losses, and loss of control by continuing negative
gambling behavior, regardless of the disruption and serious consequences
of such behavior. |
Back to top |
Q. How
extensive is problem gambling and what are the consequences?
A. A recent research study was done by the
National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, in
collaboration with three other research groups, on behalf of the National
Gambling Impact Study Commission. The research group reported that:
"
Based upon criteria developed by the American Psychiatric Association,
we estimate that about 2.5 million adults are pathological gamblers
and another 3 million adults should be considered problem gamblers.
Extending these criteria more broadly, 15 million (American) adults
are at risk for problem gambling, and about 148 million are low-risk
gamblers (about 129 million adults have never gambled)."
"…Pathological
and problem gamblers are more likely than other gamblers or non-gamblers
to have been on welfare, declared bankruptcy, and to have been arrested
or incarcerated."
"…Pathological and problem gamblers in the United
States cost society approximately $5 billion per year and an additional
$40 billion in lifetime costs for productivity reductions, social
services, and creditor losses. However, these calculations are inadequate
to capture the intra-familial costs of divorce and family disruption
associated with problem and pathological gambling." |
Back to top |
Q. What
is the Safe Gaming System?
A. The
Safe Gaming System (SGS) is designed to safeguard its customers from
developing Problem Gambling issues. It does so by requiring that all
customers who choose to gamble "pre-purchase" gaming entertainment.
An agreement between SGS and its customers ensures that pre-purchases
are only allowed to a level that is affordable for the individual
customer. The use of SGS assures compliance with the agreed gaming
budget, by requiring the use of a "smart card" for gaming that debits
only the amount pre-purchased, and no more. |
Back to top |
Q. How
will the Safe Gaming System help?
A.
When the Safe Gaming System is deployed and used as designed, its
users are prevented from gambling excessively or in a harmful way.
It will also raise awareness of the issues associated with problem
gambling, which will lead to better prevention and practices. |
Back to top |
Q. Is
the SGS anti-gambling or anti-gaming?
A. No. The SGS serves customers who choose to gamble. It is designed to prevent
them from become afflicted with gambling problems themselves, or causing
social and economic problems for others, due to gambling abuses or
addiction. It is our objective to assist in educating and raising
awareness of these issues, and to abate them through making our resources
readily available. |
Back to top |
Q. What
is the SGS' relationship with gaming companies?
A. The participation of the gaming industry, as a partner in
eliminating/preventing problem gambling, is crucial to the success
of the entire effort. We find that responsible gaming industry organizations
do not desire to capitalize on negative behavior nor do they encourage
unlawful or underage gambling. Gaming industry leaders realize that
the industry as a whole must act in a socially responsible manner,
like any other business that desires to be viable in the long run.
SGS actively promotes interaction of gaming industry representatives
with our other stakeholders, including our customers, government organizations,
researchers, counselors, treatment centers, and the public-at-large. |
Back to top |
Q. Why
should a gaming industry company become involved in preventing gambling
problems?
A. Progressive gaming
company representatives understand the need to integrate with the
other stakeholders in support of a responsible approach toward their
serving their customers. Active support of SGS clearly demonstrates
a gaming company's concern for the overall welfare of their customers. |
Back to top |
Q. Is
someone who gambles a lot a compulsive gambler?
A. Not necessarily. Many people who gamble frequently are simply
people who enjoy gambling as entertainment. Generally these people
set aside a predetermined amount of money for gambling, gamble for
fun rather than for the "certainty" of winning, recognize that they
are likely to lose, and don't bet more than they can afford to lose.
It's also possible to have gambling problems without being a compulsive
gambler -- someone can go out and lose a lot of money at a casino
after being denied a promotion, for example. Often this sort of problem
resolves itself without professional intervention. |
Back to top |
Q. Who
becomes a compulsive gambler?
A.
Compulsive gamblers can be male, female, young, middle-aged, old,
wealthy, poor, white, or people of color. Recently, the National Opinion
Research Center of the University of Chicago study completed the first-ever
national (U.S.) survey on problem gambling prevalence. The study found
that young adults, ethnic minorities, and people with little education
were slightly more likely to have serious gambling problems, but the
differences were not very large. |
Back to top |
Q. Can
adolescents become compulsive gamblers as well?
A. Yes. The National Opinion Research Center study found that
1.5 percent of 16 and 17 year olds could be considered problem or
pathological gamblers, or about half the rate for adults. It is not
yet known, however, to what extent adolescent gambling predicts problems
in an adult. |
Back to top |
Q. Is
there a link between compulsive gambling and chemical dependency?
A. Yes. In several studies approximately 50
percent of problem gamblers were found to also have drug or alcohol
problems, while studies of people in treatment for substance abuse
have found between 10 and 30 percent also having a gambling problem.
People may have both addictions simultaneously, or can switch from
one addiction to another. |
Back to top |
Q. Is
compulsive gambling associated with other mental health problems?
A. It appears that in many cases the answer
is yes. Various studies have found high rates of alcoholism, depression,
anti-social personality disorder, mood disorders, and other conditions
in pathological gamblers, leading some researchers to suspect that
problem gambling is often a symptom of an underlying condition. |
Back to top |
Q. Can
compulsive gamblers be helped?
A.
Yes. Studies have shown that treatment is effective in a great many
existing cases. A wide-range of programs are available, from Gamblers
Anonymous to inpatient treatment centers to individual counseling. There is no one program
that is right for all people. If a treatment program hasn't worked
for a particular individual, a different program may well succeed
where others failed. Unfortunately, treatment programs are not equally
available in all locations. Introduction of the Safe Gaming
System (SGS) will help in prevention. This new invention provides
the gambler and the gaming organization with the tools to ensure that
potentially harmful situations are prevented or minimized. |
Back to top |
Q. What
types of gambling cause the most problem gambling?
A. Most researchers and mental health professionals believe
that different types of gambling cannot be said to "cause" problem
gambling. Dr. Durand Jacobs, for example, has written: "it appears
that the addict's pursuit and over indulgence in alcohol, other drugs,
food, gambling, sex, overwork, or whatever, is NOT the addicts "problem".
On the contrary, a person's addictive pattern of behavior represents
that person's best SOLUTION to the stresses generated by their long-standing
underlying problems." Dr. Julian Taber has written: "Blaming alcohol
or gambling for an addiction has important negative consequences..…
It allows the patient to focus on treatment and discharge plans that
deal with everything except personal change." That being said, problem
gamblers are attracted to different forms of gambling for different
reasons. Some are attracted to the sensory stimulation of video games
of chance, while others to the perception of skill in cards or sports
betting. Still others are drawn to the seemingly easy money of high-risk
investments. Many, if not most, pathological gamblers indulge in more
than one form of gambling. However, studies of pathological gamblers
have found that the most frequently cited games of preference are
slot machines, card games, and sports betting. A Minnesota study of
944 gamblers in treatment found that 37 percent listed slot machines
as their preferred game and 37 percent listed cards. Lottery games,
dice games, and games of skill were each cited by less than 1 percent
of those in the study. (Stinchfield and Winters, 1996) |
Back to top |
Q. So
then what causes compulsive gambling?
A. This is another area in which research continues. Different researchers have suggested a number of character
traits. Dr. Richard Rosenthal, for example, has cited three components
he believes necessary: an intolerable feeling state, such as helplessness,
depression, or guilt, a highly developed capacity for self-deception,
and exposure to gambling under circumstances in which it is valued.
Other researchers have suggested that physical or hereditary predispositions
may play a role. These links have not been proven or disproven. |
Back to top |
Q. Is
it true that 40 percent of white-collar crime is caused by compulsive
gambling?
A. This is a frequent
quote, which is attributed to a study by the "American Insurance Institute."
However, there is no such study and no such institute. A Gaming Law
Review article by Dr. Joseph Kelly discusses the origins and persistence
of this particular myth. |
Back to top |
Q. So
is there a relationship between compulsive gambling and crime?
A. Undoubtedly yes, though there is little
hard information about the extent and nature of the link. Some pathological
gamblers turn to crimes such as embezzlement or writing bad checks
as their gambling losses mount. One Australian study showed about
36 percent of gamblers in treatment programs had committed crimes
that they attributed to their gambling problem (Blaszczynski et al,
1989). However, a recent German study points out that in many cases
the criminal behavior preceded the gambling behavior and points out
that in at least some cases the factors predisposing one to an addiction
may also predispose someone to criminal activity (Meyer, 1997). The
link between pathological gambling and substance abuse and between
substance abuse and criminal behavior further complicates this relationship. |
Back to top |
|
|
 |
|
