Problem Gambling
Gambling is looked upon as a harmless pastime. Over 70% of US adults report gambling as least once in the past year. 1% of the U.S. adults (3 million) meet criteria for pathological gambling. Pathological Gambling is a term used to cover both pathological gamblers and those who are having some gambling-related problems but do no t have a sufficient number of symptoms for a diagnosis of pathological gambling. Pathological gamblers are significantly more liked to have:
- Substance abuse disorders
- Depression
- Anti-social personality disorder
- Strong association with suicide
Workplace impact:
- Productivity loss
- Absenteeism
- Fraud
- Embezzlement
- Theft
Problem Gambling has been called the hidden addiction because there are few outward signs until it is too late.
At risk groups:
- Gaming employees
- Youth
- Seniors
- College Students
Signs and Symptoms:
- Betting large amounts of money
- Betting more frequently
- Borrowing to support gambling
- Thinking about gambling even when not gambling
- Lying to people close to you about your gambling
- Doing illegal acts to support gambling
Gambling problems cost the nation $5 billion annually.
Internet Gambling
- 1997: 6.9 million potential Internet gamblers,
Revenue of about $300 million - 1998: 14.5 million potential Internet gamblers
Revenue of about $651 million
Internet gambling differs from other forms of gambling:
- Few regulations to assure fairness of games or establish the responsibility of game operators
- Most operate from severs located outside the US.
- No control on the hours of availability
- Age of participants not known
- Type of game offered
- Hackers can potentially interfere with the process:
- Manipulation online games
- Stealing funds by accessing the credit card numbers used in gambling.
10%-15% of young people surveyed in the US and Canada report having experienced one or more significant problem related to gambling. Online game sites that target children and teens have direct links to gambling sites which offer freebies’ and other supposed discounts to get young people started.
- 72% of all athletes have gambled since entering college
- 48% gambled in casinos
- 30% of males and 11% of females gambled on NCAA Basketball Tournaments
10 Questions about Your Gambling Behavior
- You have often gambled longer than you had planned.
- You have often gambled until your last dollar was gone.
- Thoughts of gambling have caused you to lose sleep.
- You have used your income or savings to gamble while letting bills go unpaid.
- You have made repeated, unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling.
- You have broken the law or considered breaking the law to finance your gambling.
- You have borrowed money to finance your gambling.
- You have felt depressed or suicidal because of your gambling losses.
- You have been remorseful after gambling.
- You have gambled to get money to meet your financial obligations.
If your or someone you know answers Yes to any of these questions, consider seeking assistance from a professional regarding this gambling behavior,
Types of Treatment
- Professional Help
- Psychotherapy
- Group Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Referral Services
- InPatient
- OutPatient
- 12 Step Help
- Gamblers Anonymous
- Gam-Anon (for family members)
- Treatment Issues
- Depressions
- Anxiety
- Low Self-Esteem
- Debt Repayment
- Abstinence From Gambling
- Relapse Issues
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Anna M. Gove Student Health Center, 107 Gray Drive 27412
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
VOICE 336.334.5340
FAX 336.334.5343