2014 Prevention and Recovery Conference
Inspiration. Connection. Motivation.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Prevention of Problem Gambling:
Addressing Special Populations
Jim Wuelfing
Owner and Principle Associate
The New England Center
Jim.Wuelfing@gmail.com
CHALLENGES AND PRINCIPLES OF
PREVENTION PLANNING






Have your prevention work based in tested theory,
research and data
Use a tested prevention planning model
Using multiple strategies over multiple domains
Use evidenced-based strategies
Reduce risk and enhance protective factors
Utilizing best practices
CSAP’S STRATEGIC PLANNING
FRAMEWORK
Assessment
 Capacity Building
 Planning
 Implementation
 Evaluation
 All under the umbrella of cultural competence
and sustainability

SIX PREVENTION STRATEGIES
[CENTER FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION (CSAP)]

Information Dissemination

Prevention Education

Alternative Activities

Community-Based Processes

Environmental Approaches

Problem Identification and Referral
PREVENTION DOMAINS
Individual
 Peer
 Family
 School/work
 Community
 Society/environmental

MULTIPLE STRATEGIES OVER MULTIPLE
DOMAINS
PROTECTIVE AND RISK FACTORS

Protective factors – Factors that decrease the chances
of someone (or a community) developing health and
behavioral problems are called protective factors.
Having multiple protective factors can override risk
factors.

Risk factors - Factors that increase the chances of
someone developing health and behavior problems are
called risk factors. Individuals, families and
communities which possess these factors are
considered at risk. Those that possess several are
considered high risk.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The next thirteen slides are taken from the
research of:
Dr. Robert Williams
Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences
Coordinator, Alberta Gaming
Research Institute
University of Lethbridge; Lethbridge,
Alberta
IN ORDER TO EFFECTIVELY
PREVENT SOMETHING YOU NEED
TO KNOW WHAT CAUSES IT
RISK FACTORS FOR PROBLEM GAMBLING
Young Age (18 – 25)


Young people engage in high-risk behavior more than
other age groups
Today’s is the first generation in many years to be
raised with legal gambling widely available.
Males
 Males tend to take more risks than females
RISK FACTORS FOR PROBLEM
GAMBLING
Started gambling at an early age
Friends that gamble
Parents that are heavy or problem gamblers

PGs 3–8 times more likely to have parent, brother, or
sister with a gambling problem.
RISK FACTORS FOR PROBLEM
GAMBLING
Having an early big win at gambling

Most problem gamblers had the misfortune of
experiencing a big win when they first started playing.
Playing rapid forms of gambling with a high
frequency of betting and reinforcement

EGMs, table games
RISK FACTORS FOR PROBLEM
GAMBLING
Availability of gambling opportunities

Related to legality and/or proximity
Societal acceptance of gambling
RISK FACTORS FOR PROBLEM
GAMBLING
Race/Ethnicity
 Indigenous people
 Asian ancestry
Reasons for Gambling


To escape
To win money
RISK FACTORS FOR PROBLEM
GAMBLING
Importance of Money


as a measure of ‘success’
as a way to solve problems
Gambling Fallacies

Not understanding how gambling works or having
erroneous beliefs about how gambling works
RISK FACTORS FOR PROBLEM
GAMBLING
Impulsivity

ADHD and risk-taking tendencies also related
Mental Health Problems

Particularly Mood Disorders and Anxiety Disorders
Having other addictions


Majority of problem gamblers are smokers
High rates of co-morbid alcoholism and drug abuse
BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL
ETIOLOGICAL
FRAMEWORK
BIOLOGICAL PROPENSITIES
1.
You are born with biological propensities that increase or
decrease your susceptibility of engaging in gambling and/or
developing problem gambling.
Self-controlled
Risk aversive
No predisposition to
addiction
No predisposition to mental
health problems
↔
↔
Impulsive
↔
Predisposition to
addiction
↔
Predisposition to
mental health problems
Risk seeking
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPERIENCE
2.
These propensities shaped by environmental experience to
either further increase or decrease risk.
Abusive/Neglectful upbringing
Peer group nongambling
↔
↔
↔
Societal nonacceptance of
gambling
↔
Societal acceptance of gambling
Gambling not readily available
↔
↔
↔
↔
Gambling readily available
Nurturing/Disciplined upbringing
Parental nongambling
High income
Safe provision of gambling
Low stress & high support
Parental gambling
Peer group gambling
Low income
Unsafe provision of gambling
High stress & low support
PSYCHOLOGICAL MAKE-UP &
EARLY LEARNING
3.
Continued involvement influenced by biological propensities
and environmental experience, combined with psychological
makeup and early learning.
Lack of knowledge about gambling
Gambling fallacies
Gambling serving a psychological need
Positive/Rewarding early gambling experiences
PROGRESSION TO PROBLEM GAMBLING
5.
Whether the behaviour remits or the person progresses to
problem gambling depends on the:
Strength of biological propensities + environmental
experience + psychological make-up + early learning + and
behavioural conditioning
RELATIVE TO
Strength of the negative consequences person begins to
experience
CONSTELLATION OF PROBLEMS
People who progress to problem gambling will usually have
many associated comorbidities.
Psychological
Problems (depression,
anxiety, low self-esteem, poor
decision making skills, poor
coping skills)
Problem
Gambling
Antisocial
Behaviour
Substance
Abuse
School/Work
Problems
Poor Health
Practices
Interpersonal
Problems
Similarly, people who do not become problem
gamblers often have many associated ‘strengths’.
Good Psychological
Health
(positive self-esteem, achievement
motivation, good decision making skills,
good coping skills)
Non Problem
Gambling
Prosocial
Behaviour
Substance Moderation or
Abstinence
Positive
School/Work
Functioning
Good Health
Practises
Good social skills
and social support
FOCUS ON YOUTH GAMBLING
HOW DO STUDENTS GAMBLE?

What are some of the ways that students
gamble?
IS STUDENT GAMBLING LEGAL?

What is the legal age for sports betting in Oklahoma?


21?
Other?
What is the legal age to buy scratch tickets or play the
lottery in Oklahoma?


18?
16?
18?
21?
Other?
What is the legal age for playing cards for money in
your home Oklahoma?

16?
18?
21?
Other?
GAMBLING AMONG TEENS AND
YOUNG ADULTS





Gambling in an increasing phenomena and warrants
attention and concern
Gambling at a casino has become a new rite of passage
for many students turning 21
Most youth learn to gamble from their parents with an
average age of onset of 11.5 years
There is a belief that as gambling becomes more
accessible and convenient for teens and young adults,
problems will increase
Gambling problems among teens and young adults can
remain hidden for a long time, and many school faculty,
coaches, and staff are not asking questions of students
that might surface these problems
GAMBLING AMONG TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS
(CONT’D)

Students gamble for a variety of reasons.
Those cited most often include:
 seeking
excitement, a rush, a high…and to
decrease boredom
 the powerful influence of advertising and television
 parental influence and role models
 teacher/environmental influence and role models
GAMBLING AMONG YOUTH (CONT’D)
Parental gambling can lead to serious problems
for younger children who are neglected when
one or both parents gamble
 Gambling by students is common and has led
to negative consequences for over 5% of 12th
graders
 Gambling risk behavior is associated with other
risky behavior

GAMBLING AMONG YOUTH (CONT’D)


There is nearly universal consensus about the need for
prevention efforts to prevent future problems. Some
respondents to surveys also identified the need for
expanded services for youth affected by gambling
problems in schools and youth groups.
Other ideas focus on reducing gambling advertising,
creating a “higher profile of gambling problems” within
local communities as they occur, and to increase the
availability of healthy and positive activities for youth so
they would not feel bored and be as attracted to
gambling
SOME SUMMARY OBSERVATIONS
Gender (male)
 Age (initiation and game)
 Substance use
 Anti-social behavior
 Parental gambling
 Depression

CHARACTERISTICS OF STUDENT GAMBLERS
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Male
Competitive
Intelligent
Risk takers
High energy
Good students

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
With part time jobs
Popular
Usually participates in
athletics
Many times children of
substance abusers or
gamblers
WHAT ABOUT THE POKER CRAZE?


Little research data on prevalence and consequence.
Anecdotal accounts suggest increasing number of
teens/young adults in trouble with gambling.


Increasing calls to gambling help lines regarding teen/young
adult gambling
Reports of unmanageable debt, problems in school,
violence and resorting to criminal activity to pay debts
MORE ON THE POKER CRAZE

Need to be careful not to pathologize a fad, yet
recognize that:



Although most teens/young adults will not develop gambling
problems, the sheer numbers of those playing will increase
the numbers of those needing help.
Poker, like other forms of gambling, carries some degree of
personal risk and can lead to a range of negative
consequences.
Studies show that students who gamble are more likely to
engage in a number of high risk behaviors.
INTERNET GAMBLING
Estimated 6000+ sites and growing daily
 Estimated 35+ billion dollars in revenue
 >70% of worldwide Internet gambling coming
from U.S. bettors
 Illegal in the United States but confusion
around players or sites
 Available 24/7

INTERNET GAMBLING (CONTINUED)
Needs credit card or account to play
 Losses charged to credit card
 Wins credited to credit card, cashier check or
accounts

SPECIAL ISSUES FOR STUDENTS
Ready access to credit (if over 18)
 Little awareness of credit issues
 Computer literacy
 24/7 availability
 Among the highest addiction rates
 Internet gambling often comes in low on a list
of gambling activities yet high in terms of
problems associated with it.

IF PROBLEMS DEVELOP, WHAT MIGHT THEY
LOOK LIKE





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Debt and credit card problems
Interpersonal conflict and anger surrounding lost/owed money
Violence (dating violence and violence around debt collection)
Losing and chasing losses
Magical and “quick fix” mentality
Progression



Frequency of gambling
Amount of money
Form of gambling
IF PROBLEMS DEVELOP, WHAT MIGHT THEY
LOOK LIKE (CONT.)

Negative consequences







Limited circle of friends, loss of friendships
Family conflict
School problems (truancy, slipping academic performance,
policy violations)
Lying
Stealing
Loss of self-esteem
Depression and suicidality
OTHER VULNERABILITIES
Adolescent brain development
 Students who show:

 Impulsivity
 Poor
concentration
 Hyperactivity
 A need for excitement and risk taking
 Involvement in other risk behaviors such as alcohol,
tobacco and other drugs
RISK FACTORS FOR PROBLEM GAMBLING



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
At-risk for a substance abuse problem
Having a parent, sibling, relative, friend, or
significant person with either a gambling problem
or substance use problem
Having or knowing peers with substance use
problems is a risk correlate of youth problem
gambling
Anxiety
High risk propensity
Low perception of risk regarding problem gambling
Early onset of gambling behaviour
YOUTH GAMBLING PROBLEMS: THE IDENTIFICATION OF RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS::Report to the Ontario Problem
Gambling Research Centre: Laurie Dickson, M.A.
Jeffrey L. Derevensky, Ph.D., Rina Gupta, Ph.D.
HIGH RISK CATEGORIES




Child of a compulsive
gambler
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 pathological
gamblers; 11.5 years for
non-pathological
gamblers)
Large first bets
Otherwise addicted
PROTECTIVE FACTORS




A relationship with a caring
adult role model
Having an opportunity to
contribute and be seen as a
resource
Effectiveness in work, play
and relationships
Healthy expectations and a
positive outlook




Self-esteem and an internal
locus of control
Self-discipline
Problem solving and critical
thinking skills
A sense of humor
PROTECTIVE FACTORS
Family connectedness
 Designing school-based prevention programs
that seek to develop student’s attachment,
trust, and identification with larger groups (e.g.,
school clubs and sports teams, Scouts or
Guides).

YOUTH GAMBLING PROBLEMS: THE IDENTIFICATION OF RISK AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS:: Report to the Ontario
Problem Gambling Research Centre: Laurie Dickson, M.A.
Jeffrey L. Derevensky, Ph.D., Rina Gupta, Ph.D.
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
MINIMIZING YOUR RISK
Always bet with a predetermined amount of
money to be lost
 Never borrow money to gamble
 Never gamble illegally
 Know your personal risk factors
 Know where to get help
 Be willing to help others

FOUR CONSISTENT MESSAGES




Gambling is not a risk-free activity.
The choice to abstain from gambling as a regular
practice is a legitimate choice that many people make.
We do not want you to gamble illegally ever.
If you still choose to gamble, we want you to know
enough about gambling so that you can lower your risk
of gambling problems.
SOME YOUTH EXAMPLES
CAPS (Creative Activities in Probability and
Statistics)

Based on research that showed
 High
rates of incidence and prevalence in students
 Critical thinking skills are a protective factor in the
development of addictive disorders
 A connection between gambling behavior and
knowledge of math
 Kinesthetic learning often aids in retention
Twelve Activities
Deal or No Deal
 Basketball Court Cover-up
 Target Ball
 Shoot and Score
 Parachute Yahtzee
 Liar’s Dice







Number Mania
Ice Cream Adventure
Who Won It?
Lifeopoly
Delta Three
Scavenger Hunt
Examples

Basketball Court Coverup

M&M’s cover a picture,
the pictures cover a
newspaper page, the
newspaper pages cover a
basketball court all in an
effort to understand large
numbers

Ice Cream Adventure

Three flavors of ice
cream, four toppings, five
sauces; a delicious
exercise in counting
possibilities
CAPS Example

Lifeopoly

A life-sized board game
where students discover
an understanding of
number sense, risk and
critical thinking
CAPS Example

Parachute Yahtzee

Play the games in teams
with large dice and a
parachute to
demonstrate number
sense and predictions
Teens About Gambling (T.A.G.)
Youth empowerment model employed
 Did own research on youth gambling
 Attended trainings
 Developed own vision and mission statements
 Developed video and training curriculum.

T.A.G. Vision and Mission

Vision Statement
We envision a Massachusetts where all teens
are empowered to make responsible gambling
decisions thus reducing the negative
consequences to themselves, their families,
and the community.
T.A.G. Vision and Mission






Mission Statement
Teens About Gambling (TAG) seeks to accomplish its
vision by:
Raising awareness about problem gambling.
Providing information and skill development that
supports responsible decision making.
Providing resource information.
Empowering other teen groups to do the same.
STACKED DECK
Evidenced-based curriculum for the prevention of
problem gambling among teens and young adults.
 Created by Robert Williams, Ph.D., Alberta Gaming
Research Institute and Robert Wood, Ph.D.,
University of Lethbridge, Alberta
 Teaches young people to approach life as smart
risk-takers, weighing the pros and cons of their
actions to determine the odds of achieving positive
results.

GOALS OF STACKED DECK
Teach young people the facts about gambling
and related risks.
 Encourage responsible decision making.
 Prevent young people from becoming problem
gamblers.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
Six multi-media 35-45 minutes sessions
 Session 1-3 focus specifically on gambling
 Sessions 4-5 more generally about risk and
decision making
 Session 6 is a booster session designed to help
students retain knowledge and skills learned.
It should be delivered a few weeks after the
first five sessions

FOCUS ON COLLEGE STUDENTS
“College Class President
Charged in Bank Robbery”
“Police say 19-year-old
Lehigh University student
admitted the crime”
GAMBLING AMONG COLLEGE &
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
16
30
14
25
12
10
20
8
2002
2005
6
4
2
15
% Female
Students
10
% Male
Students
5
0
% of post-secondary
students gambling
each week
0
2002
Annenberg Public Policy Center 2002
2005
STUDENT ATHLETE GAMBLING
72% of student of all student athletes have
gambled at least once since entering college
One in 20 male student athletes admitted:
• providing inside information for gambling purposes
• betting on a game in which they participated, or
• accepting money for performing poorly in a game
Student athletes who gambled on sports with
bookies gambled an average of $225 per month
Cross & Vollano, University of Michigan
STUDENTS AT HIGH RISK:
RATES OF PROBLEM GAMBLING BY AGE
6%
4%
5.6%
4.1%
2%
2.3%
0%
Adolescent
College
1.2%
General Adult Pop.
Carlson & Moore, 1998; Shaffer & Hall, 2001; Moore, 2001; Volberg, 2001
Elderly

Rate of problem gambling among college
students is about 5.6 percent

About 15 percent of college students are
at risk for developing gambling problems
Shaffer & Hall 2001
THE SURGE IN STUDENT GAMBLING
Increased Availability
 Increased Accessibility
 Increased Acceptability
 Increased Marketing

INCREASED AVAILABILITY AND
ACCESSIBILITY
Casino Gambling
 Online Gambling
 Sports Betting
 State Lottery

The casino “that never sleeps” supports its customers 24/7
SPORTS BETTING


About 30% of U.S. college
students will gamble on
sports this year (NCPG)
Only a few states where
sports wagering is legal
A NEW CAMPUS ACTIVITY:
ONLINE GAMBLING
More than 5,000 Internet casinos
 All offshore
 Challenges

 Not
much oversight
 Difficult to monitor use
 Open 24 hours
RELATIONSHIP OF PROBLEMATIC
GAMBLERS TO OTHER PROBLEMS

Among college problem gamblers,
significantly greater:
 tobacco,
alcohol, and marijuana use
 binge drinking
 number of negative outcomes from drug and
alcohol use
 binge eating and efforts at weight control
Engwall & Steinberg, 2003
A COLLEGE EXAMPLE

College Athlete Outreach and Training
Research indicates that college students are a high risk
group and student athletes are a particular high risk
subgroup.
 NCAA regulations support addressing the issue.
 Local campus needs assessment supplied data and
direction for one hour training curriculum development
 Training for athletes and coaches
 Added FBI video
 Evaluation of program shows promise.


Focus on Older Adults
PROBLEM GAMBLING AMONG
OLDER ADULTS




Gambling in older populations is on the rise
The percentage of older Americans who gamble has
doubled in the past 25 years
Older adults are aggressively targeted by the gambling
industry
Sometimes gambling problems can be hidden for a long
time.
PROBLEM GAMBLING AMONG
OLDER ADULTS




Many older adults do not understand addictions
Older adults may be drawn to gambling to fill their
time or to be with other people
Older adults who have gambled away their pensions
and savings may have little chance of getting their
money back.
Older adults may be more likely to hide their gambling
because of the stigma associated with it.
PROBLEM GAMBLING AMONG
OLDER ADULTS



Many older adults have suffered some type of loss
such as the death of loved ones or isolation from
family and friends; gambling may help fill that loss
Some older adults may have cognitive impairment that
interferes with decision-making
Many older adults have limited funds and may see
gambling as a way to supplement their finances
UNIQUE ISSUES WITH IDENTIFYING
PROBLEM GAMBLING IN OLDER ADULTS




Older adult/loved ones may not be aware gambling
can be a problem
Shame/ embarrassment attached to stigma
May be unwilling to give up their main entertainment
activity
Information about problem gambling not readily
available, smaller social circle means less people who
may recognize a problem in behavior
POSSIBLE WARNING SIGNS OF
PROBLEM GAMBLING





Withdrawal from family and
friends
Gambling with money
meant for other
necessities
Gambling on credit
Missing personal or
household items
Borrowing from family and
friends





Gambling alone
Already struggling with
some form of addiction
Lying about or hiding
gambling
Only talks about wins, not
losses
Betting more than he/she
can afford to lose
RISK FACTORS FOR PROBLEM
GAMBLING IN OLDER ADULTS








Recent loss of spouse/partner or friends
Retirement
Isolation
Depression
Dementia or other cognitive impairments
Chronic illness
Financial worries
Ease of access to lottery tickets, bingo, and casinos
SOME PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS PREVENTION OF
PROBLEM GAMBLING AMONG OLDER ADULTS
“Bait and Hook”
 Staff training
 “Making the Most of Your Leisure Time”

THANK YOU

Any additional questions or comments?