The document outlines a training on problem gambling that covers the history, neurobiology, and treatment of gambling addiction over two days of presentations and discussions. On the first day, participants will learn about the history, definitions, brain mechanisms, addiction connections, and treatment approaches to problem gambling. The second day will focus on family and cultural issues, hearing from a recovering problem gambler, and discussions on prevention.

1. problem
gambling
Julie Hynes, MA, CPS
Substance Abuse Prevention Program
University of Oregon
SAPP 408 - May 2012

2. Ground Rules &
Expectations
 From your instructor
 From each other
 Your expectations for the course

3. Outline:
Day 1
 History & trends
 Defining the issue
 Gambling & the brain
 Addiction connections
 Treatment:
Michele Tantriella-Modell
 Wrapping up Day 1 – “assignment”

4. Outline:
Day 2
 Family dynamics & multicultural issues:
Janese Olalde
 Recovering problem gambler:
Dave
 Lunch
 Prevention
 Wrapping up

5. $
 Opportunity

7. “Young Entrepreneur
Opens Corvallis
Players Den”
Smith said that the most common
misconception about poker is that it
is gambling.
- Hannah Mahoney, The Daily Barometer, 3/4/11
Photo: Curtis Barnard. Source: http://ow.ly/4WSAz

8. Gambling
To risk money or
something of value on
the outcome of an
event.

9. Anything Can Be a Bet…
Image sources: sportsbet.com
Oddsshark.com, wagerminds.com

10. Betting on Brangelina

11. Legal Gambling in
?
Oregon
Nine tribal casinos opened
1994 - 2004
Video poker began
1992
Lottery approved
1931 1984 1989
Sports Action Lottery

12. Image sources: Oregon Lottery, Hynes

13. Image sources: Oregon Lottery, Hynes

14. Oregon Lottery Revenues

15. Electronic Gambling: Big Hook
Oregon Gambling Treatment
Gamblers' Preferences
Electronic
Gambling
87% Cards
6%
Other
5%
Photo source: Daniel Berman. Source: Oregon Health Authority
(2012; ibid)

16. Photo: Hynes

17. Photo: Hynes

18. Online Gambling: Big Changes
Source: ABC News

19. Groups: In-class discussion
1. Do a search for "online poker.“
2. Go to one of the sites that offers online poker. Is
it a ".net" or ".com"? If it's a ".net," change the
end of the URL to a ".com," and vice versa if it's a
".com.”
 EXAMPLE: If you’re at fulltiltpoker.com, go to
fulltiltpoker.net
3. What changes between the URLs? What are the
differences in content? Be prepared to discuss.

21. Pokerstars.com, fulltiltpoker.com,
absolutepoker.com

23. Gambling: A Continuum
No Social At-Risk Problem Pathological
Gambling Experimentation
~74,000 Oregon adults “problem gamblers” (2.7%) 1
Teens (13-17 y.o.): 6% at risk or problem gamblers 2
College: 5.6% (nat’l figure)3 | 3% (UO) 4
Sources: 1. Moore (2006; ibid). 2. Volberg, Hedberg, & Moore (2008). 3. Shaffer & Hall (2001). 4. Northwest Survey &
Data Services (2007). 5. Moore (2001).

24. Identification: “Social” or
Problem Gambler?
Social Problem
Gambler Gambler
Occasional Frequent, preoccupied
Sticks w/ limits Plays w/needed $, borrows
Hopes to win, expects to
Hopes & expects to WIN
lose
Can take it or leave it Primary source of “fun”

25. Teasing it out: Gambling in the
context of “addiction”
DiClemente (2003) defines addiction as:
1. Solidly established, problematic pattern of a
pleasurable & reinforcing behavior
2. Physiological/psychological components of behavior
pattern that create dependence
3. Interaction of these components in an individual
which makes person resistant to change

26. Definitions
PATHOLOGICAL:
Persistent and recurrent
maladaptive gambling
“PATHOLOGICAL behavior...results in the
GAMBLING” also called LOSS OF CONTROL over
gambling. (DSM-IV)
“compulsive gambling” or
“gambling addiction”

27. Signs: Pathological
Gambling
1. Preoccupation with 6. “Chases” losses
gambling 7. Lies to others to conceal
2. Increases amount of money gambling
gambled 8. Has committed illegal acts
3. Unsuccessfully tries to quit 9. Has jeopardized
4. Restless or irritable when relationships
trying to cut down/stop 10. Relies on others to bail
5. Gambles as an escape him/her out
*”Pathological” gambling = At least five of above, and not accounted for by a Manic Episode.
Pathological Gambling is defined in DSM-IV as an “Impulse Control Disorder”
Source: American Psychological Association (1994).

28.  Debt - $30,000
 Crime – 25%
 Depression/suicide
 48% seriously considered suicide
 9% attempted suicide
 Relationship jeopardized/lost – 35%
 Concurrent alcohol problems – 34%
 Concurrent drug problems – 15%
Source: Oregon Health Authority, 2011

30. Phases of Problem Gambling
Winning
Losing
Hitting “Bottom”
 Desperation
 Crime
 Divorce
 Depression/Suicide
Desperation
 Getting help?
Source: Custer, R. (1980). “Custer Three Phase Model.”

31. Causes? (Risk Factors)
 Trauma -- stemming  Community norms/laws
from abuse or neglect
 Early initiation
 Mental health issues
 Friends favorable toward
 Substance use gambling
 Parental attitudes &
behavior
 Competitive family

33. 1 in 175 1 in 175 million
1 in 175,000 1 in 175 billion

34. 1 in 175 Million
(174,233,510)
Odds of getting struck by lightning:
1 in 280,000

35. Let’s say there is 1 RED
popcorn kernel in this bag of
10,000 pieces of popcorn
….you’d have a better
chance of reaching in and
grabbing the one red kernel
of popcorn in this bag than
you would of winning
$100 on a powerball ticket

36. So…if your lucky numbers
have “almost” come up in the
last 5 drawings, are your
chances better, worse, or the
same?

37. Sports bets
Lottery tickets
Video & online
Bingo & raffles

38. Video lottery
& online gambling

39. Research shows about what
percentage of adults have a
gambling problem?
1% 0.2%
40% 3%

40. About 3%
(2.7%) of Oregon adults have a
gambling problem.

41. Sports bets
Lottery tickets
Video & online
Bingo & raffles

42. Gambling Treatment Clients
Gamblers' Preferences
Electronic
Video lottery Gambling
89% Cards
6%
& online gambling Other
5%

43. At what age is the
brain considered
fully developed?
18 21
25 65

45. In Perspective

46. Disease”
National institute on Drug Abuse
Prefrontal
Cortex

48. Neurobiology
 Still not well understood
 Multiple neurotransmitter
systems believed involved:
 Seratonin
 Norepinephrine (aka
noradrenalin)
 Opioid
 Dopamine
 Important to consider in
treatment
Source: Grant, 2006. Neurobiology and Pharmacological Treatment of Pathological Gambling.

49. Potential Neurotransmitter
Roles in PG
Role in Impulse
Neurotransmitter
Control
Serotonin  Serotonin -- risk taking
Behavior Initiation/Cessation
Norepinephrine PGs -  NE levels
Arousal, Excitement
Opioids Gambling -  β-endorphin
Pleasure, Urges
Dopamine PGs -  dopamine response
Reward, Reinforcement
Dopamine: most studied neurotransmitter in problem gambling

50. Gambling & The “Doped” Brain
Decisions that will likely cause us to
lose money vs. win money
Source: Brain Briefings (2007, October), Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC

51. Vulnerable Populations
 Older adults
 College students
 Ethnic minorities
 Incarcerated persons
 Military & veterans
 Women
 Substance abuse history
 Mental health history
 Youth

52. • Gambler’s fallacy
• Failure to see EACH roll of dice or EACH spin of wheel
as independent chance-related events
• “That slot machine is DUE to hit.”
• Illusion of control
• Relating winnings to skill, even in luck-based games
• “I’m smarter than that player.”
• Superstition
• Selective memory
Source: Tonneato, T. (1999). Cognitive psychopathology of problem gambling. Subst Use Misuse. Sep;34(11):1593-604.

53. Magical
Thinking

54. Personalization

55. Cognitive
Dissonance

56. What do you see when you look
below?
xx xx xx xx

57. Source: Tonneato, T. (1999). Cognitive psychopathology of problem gambling. Subst Use Misuse. Sep;34(11):1593-604.

58. Mental Health/Addictions Connections
 Depression/mood disorders
 Narcissistic personality disorder
 PTSD
 Impulsivity
 ADHD
 Substance abuse
 Alcohol abuse
Sources Ledgerwood & Petry (2006). Kausch et al. (2006). Biddle et al. (2005). Oregon Health Authority (2010).
The WAGER (2002, February 12); Specker, et al., (1995); Kim & Grant (2001)

59. The “Addiction” Connection
Similarities? Differences?
 Loss of control  Defining “use” (gambling)
 Denial  Behavior not attributable to
 Depression/mood swings chemical ingestion
 Progressive  No biological test
 Tolerance
 More intense sense of shame
 Use as an escape
and guilt (anecdotal)
 Preoccupation
 Similar “highs”  Unpredictable outcome
 Self-help groups  Fantasies of success /quitting
 Family involvement is giving up hope
 Use of rituals  Easier to hide
Adapted from Andy Cartmill, Washington County H&HS

60. UO Survey 2010
A majority of students (62%) thought
problems with gambling could be
changed through ‘will power.’
At the same time, an even larger
majority (87%) agreed that gambling is
an addiction similar to a drug
or alcohol addiction.

62. Name at least three typical
consequences that
someone may experience
due to his/her gambling
problem

63. Debt
Crime
Depression/Suicide
Relationship problems
Employment problems
Alcohol and/or drug problems

64. The average problem
gambler in Oregon
gambling treatment owes
$4,000 in
gambling-related debts.

65. The average problem gambler in
Oregon gambling treatment owes
$30,000 in
gambling-related debts.

66. References
American Psychiatric Association. (2000). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.,
text revision). Washington, DC: Author.
Cross, Del Carmen Lorenzo, & Fuentes (1999). The extent and nature of gambling among college student
athletes. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Department of Athletics.
Department of Defense (2002). Survey of health related behaviors among military personnel Washington,
DC: Author. Report information available http://www.tricare.mil/main/news/dodsurvey.htm
DiClemente, C. (2003). Addiction and change: How addictions develop and addicted people recover. New
York: Guilford Press.
ECONorthwest (2009). The contributions of Indian gaming to Oregon’s economy.
http://www.econw.com/reports/2009_ECONorthwest_Contributions-Indian-Gaming-Oregon-
Economy-2007.pdf
Engwall, Hunter & Steinberg (2004). Gambling and other risk behaviors on university campuses. Journal
of American College Health. 52 (6); 245-255.
Freimuth, M. (2008). Addicted? Recognizing Destructive Behavior Before It's Too Late
. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Kerber (2005). Problem and pathological gambling among college athletes. Annual of Clinical Psychiatry. 17
(4); 243-7.
LaBrie, R., Shaffer, H., LaPlante, D., and Wechslet, H. (2003). Correlates of college student gambling in
United States. Journal of American College Health. 52 (2); 53-62.
Moore , T.L. (2002.) The etiology of pathological gambling. Salem, OR: Department of Human Services.
http://www.oregoncpg.com

67. References
Moore, TL. (2006). Oregon gambling prevalence replication study. Salem, OR: Department
of Human Services. http://www.oregoncpg.com
Moore (2001). Older adult gambling in Oregon. Salem, OR: Department of Human Services.
http://www.oregoncpg.com
Northwest Survey & Data Services (2007). Lane County Health & Human Services college
gambling survey. http://www.preventionlane.org/gambling/college.htm
Oregon Health Authority, Problem Gambling Services (2011). Oregon problem gambling
awareness community resource guide. Salem, OR: Author.
Oregon Lottery (2009). Oregon State Lottery Behavior and Attitude Tracking Study.
November 2008. InfoTek Research Group, Inc.
Oregon Lottery (2008). Overview through fiscal year 2009. Salem, OR: Author.
Ramoski, S., Nystrom, R. (2007). The changing adolescent brain. Northwest Public Health.
http://www.nwpublichealth.org/archives/s2007/adolescent-brain
Rockey, D.L., Beason, K.R., & Gilbert, J.D. (2002). Gambling by college athletes: An
association between problem gambling and athletes.
http://www.camh.net/egambling/archive/pdf/EJGI-issue7/EJGI-issue7-research-
rockey.pdf
Shaffer, H.J., Donato, Labrie, Kidman, & LaPlante. (2005). The epidemiology of college
alcohol and gambling policies. Harm Reduction Journal. 2 (1).
Shaffer, H.J. & Hall, M.N. (2001). Updating and refining meta-analytic prevalence estimates
of disordered gambling behavior in the United States and Canada. Canadian Journal of
Public Health, 92(3), 168-172.
Volberg, R.A., Hedberg, E.C., & Moore, T.L. (2008). Adolescent Gambling in Oregon.
Northhampton, MA: Gemini Research. http://gamblingaddiction.org

68. problem
gambling
[Saturday afternoon]
Julie Hynes, MA, CPS
Substance Abuse Prevention Program
University of Oregon

70. Name at least three typical
consequences that
someone may experience
due to his/her gambling
problem

71. Debt
Crime
Depression/Suicide
Relationship problems
Employment problems
Alcohol and/or drug problems

72. The average problem
gambler in Oregon
gambling treatment owes
$4,000 in
gambling-related debts.

73. The average problem gambler in
Oregon gambling treatment owes
$30,000 in
gambling-related debts.

74. Continuum of Care
Institute of Medicine Continuum of Care

75. identification &
treatment
Michele Tantriella-Modell
MS, LPC, CADC, NCGCII
Director, Emergence Gambling
Treatment Program

76. Continuum of Care
Institute of Medicine Continuum of Care

77. Identification: Telling the
Difference
Social Gambler Problem Gambler
Occasional Frequent, preoccupied
Sticks w/ limits Plays w/needed $, borrows
Hopes to win, expects
Hopes & expects to WIN
to lose
Can take it or leave it Primary source of “fun”

78. Intervention
• Helpline
541.741.7107:
emergence
Or 24/7: 1.877.MY.LIMIT
• Referred to provider for
assessment
• Family members come
in; later bring gambler
in

79. Screening: The “Lie-Bet”
• Two questions to rule out pathological gambling
behavior
– 1) Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more
money?
– 2) Have you ever had to lie to people important to
you about how much you gambled?
• One or both “yes” answers indicate further
assessment needed
– Further evaluation can be made by calling
1-877-MY-LIMIT

80. Assessment Tools
• “Valid and Reliable”
– DSM-IV 10
– South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS)
– SOGS-RA (Revised for Adolescents)
• Frequently Used
– Gamblers Anonymous 20 Questions (GA-20)

81. DSM-IV Criteria Revisited
1. Preoccupation with 6. “Chases” losses
gambling
7. Lies to others to conceal
2. Increases amount of gambling
money gambled
8. Has committed illegal
3. Unsuccessfully tries to
quit acts
4. Restless or irritable 9. Has jeopardized
when trying to cut relationships
down/stop 10. Relies on others to bail
5. Gambles as an escape him/her out
Pathological Gambling =
Five or more of above, AND: The gambling behavior is not better
accounted for by a Manic Episode.

82. Continuum of Care
Institute of Medicine Continuum of Care

83. Treatment is Free.
24 hrs: 1877-my-limit
Online: 1877mylimit.org

84. Treatment Options in Oregon
• Minimal intervention: GEAR (Gambling Education
and Reduction)
• Outpatient treatment (44)
• Crisis respite (2)
• Residential treatment (1)

85. Emergence Gambling Treatment
Program
• Treatment free for gamblers and loved ones
– 275 problem gamblers and family members treated
last year
– Gender-specific
• Multimodal treatment
– Individual sessions - Family therapy
– Group sessions - Recreational
counseling
– Didactic lectures - Audiovisual educ.
• Suggest to explore 12-step program

86. Other Facts on
Gambling Treatment in Oregon
• Only about 2% of Oregonians who need treatment
enroll
• With unstable funding, enrollments dropped 20% in
the past year
• Those enrolling who lived within a 50 mile radius of a
casino were significantly more likely to report casino
as their primary venue
• 30% enter treatment through the state-wide helpline

87. Treatment is Effective
and Inexpensive
• $3,224: Cost per
successful
completer
• 86%: Report no,
or far reduced,
gambling
Source: Moore, T. 2011 Gambling Programs Evaluation Update.

88. Online: click here
Source: Written by Robert L. Custer, M.D; retrieved from Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc..

89. Vulnerable Populations
• Older adults
• College students
• Ethnic minorities
• Incarcerated persons
• Military & veterans
•
•
Women
SA history
Tomorrow
• MH history
• Youth

90. “Assignment”

93. Following up on yesterday
• South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS – Michele
discussed this):
http://www.addictionrecov.org/southoak.aspx
• Lane County treatment figures from 2010:
http://problemgamblingprevention.org/docs/2011-Oregon-Problem-Gambling-Data-Book-Data-includes-county-data.pdf

94. Outline:
Day 2
• Family dynamics & special populations: Janese
Olalde
• Recovering problem gambler: Dave is sick  [we
decided on video substitution after class:
Please watch BBC Documentary for the
Discovery Channel (parts 1 – 4)
http://youtu.be/L7UVO5_zXj0 ]
• Prevention
• Wrapping up

95. Janese Olalde,
MEd, CADC II, CGAC II
Family & Special Populations

96. FAMILY ISSUES

98. TRUE OR FALSE?
Economic Problems are the main reason
why a gambler’s relationships end.

99. False
 The main reason
a gambler’s
relationships end
is betrayal
and distrust.

100. FAMILY ISSUES
 Rage and panic
 Distrust
 Lost respect
 Relationships weakened
or destroyed
 Employment affected
 Financial crisis
 Reputation damaged

101. EFFECTS ON
FAMILY
 Worries
 Unpaid bills
 Make excuses for
gambling
 Less time with family
 Partner feels rejected
 Attempts to control gambling

102. EFFECTS ON FAMILY
Isolation
Depression and Anxiety
Anger and Resentment
Thinking Impaired
Doubts Sanity
Immobilization
Physical Symptoms

103. True or False?
 The best thing a family member can do
to help the gambler is to loan him/her
money.

104. False
 Bailing out the gambler only
perpetuates the problem and the
gambling.

105. Family Financial Issues
 Create own avenue to financial stability
(employment or other)
 Protect financial assets
 Close joint accounts
 Use automatic/electronic
deposits for gambler’s income
 NO BAILOUTS!

106. Protect Family
 Get documentation of assets
 Retirement accounts
 Life insurance policies
 College savings funds
 Investments
• Consult financial specialist or lawyer as
appropriate

107. FAMILY TREATMENT ISSUES
 Allow venting of rage and betrayal
 Education of compulsive gambling as an illness
 Family Groups
 Renew sense of hope
 Empowerment
 Seek support – treatment
 GAM-ANON
 DON’T KEEP SECRETS!

108. Couple Issues
in Therapy
Sequencing with individual work
Assess possibility of domestic violence
Impact on partner and children
Role of money in the relationship
Deal with hurt, anger, mistrust
Dealing with “unfolding truths”

109. Measuring Trust
On a Scale of 1 to 10:
 Where is it now?
 What is the worst it has ever been?
 What is the best it has ever been?
 How you would like it to be?
Question: What small day-to-day things does it take to
move up the scale one point at a time?

110. Effects of Problem Gambling on
Children
 Prone to abuse and/or neglect
 Child endangerment may increase
 Higher levels of tobacco,
alcohol, drug use, and overeating than
peers
 Higher risk of pathological gambling
 Suffer effects from lack of financial
stability

111. THOUGHTS, FEELINGS, ANTICIPATION, FANTASY
(Gambler’s Mind, “Gambling Time/Gambling Money”)
ACTION CYCLE
REALITY
(Self with Others,
“Real Time, Real Money
PLANNING
(Removing obstacles
to gambling)
CRASH
Guilt, Shame, Anger, Denial,
Justification, Restless, Irritable, GAMBLING
Depression, Panic or Numb, (“Winning & Losing”)
Suicidal Thoughts Serotonin
Adrenaline
Dopamine

112. ACTION CYCLE
Three Ingredients for Gambling:
 MONEY
 TIME
 LOCATION
Interrupt Action Cycle – Create Safety Zone:
 Barriers to Money
 Treatment
 Support Systems
 Accountability
 H.A.L.T.S.

114. Special Populations
 Youth
 Senior
 African American
 Native American
 Asian American
 Hispanic/Latino

115. YOUTH
Teen problem gamblers have higher rates of:
 Family problems
 Crime
 Peer relationship problems
 Legal and money troubles
 Depression; suicidal thoughts and attempts
 Dissociative, “escape” behaviors
 Risk of other addictions
 School problems

116. SENIOR
Increased risk due to:
 Loneliness –
(used to socialize)
 Isolation
 Physical illness
 Mental illness or Cognitive Impairment
 Boredom – lots of free time
 Other?

117. AFRICAN AMERICAN
POSSIBLE BARRIERS TO SEEKING TREATMENT:
 Dream of overcoming poverty
 “Hero” role in family
 High level of shame
 Lack of anonymity in small
community
 Sense of independence
(“take care of our own”)

118. AFRICAN AMERICAN
Possible Barriers:
 Concern about profiling – might be reluctant to “enter
the system” as might be labeled
 Male and females roles are defined differently than
dominant society – more matriarchal
 Other?

119. NATIVE AMERICAN
POSSIBLE BARRIERS TO SEEKING TREATMENT:
• Tradition of gambling in the history
• “Save face” if win big and can help family
• Social venue for elders
• Respect for elders (difficult to confront)
• High level of shame on family and generations
previous
• High probability of cross addiction

120. NATIVE AMERICAN
 Limited Native American focused gambling treatment
available
 Lack of a spirituality focus in gambling treatment
 Availability of gambling activities and gambling
establishment-related employment for the community
 Diversity of tribes with rituals, values and beliefs
 Other?

121. ASIAN AMERICAN
BARRIERS TO TREATMENT:
 Large diverse Asian population with
numerous dialects
 Widespread use of gambling in Asia
 High sense of shame related to effects
on family
 Ethic of respect for elders
 Distrust of dominant society due to
history of mistreatment of Asians
 Isolation - “Invisible” population
 Other?

122. HISPANIC/LATINO
BARRIERS TO SEEKING TREATMENT:
 Language/Dialects
 Isolation
 Large diverse Latino community
 Lack of education of
compulsive/problem gambling
 General acceptance of gambling as
leisure activity
 “American dream” to get rich
 General distrust of dominant society
 Other?

123. Continuum of Care
Institute of Medicine Continuum of Care

124. “The earlier people begin
gambling, the more likely
they are to experience
problems from gambling.”
- National Academy of Sciences

125. Not Your Uncle’s Gambling
Research
on:
Youth gambling still under-studied & under the radar

132. •Amygdala active
• Fight or flight, emotion “The adolescent brain is
especially sensitive to the
• Decision-making effects of dopamine.
altered
•More vulnerable to risk-
taking & impulsive
behaviors
Source: Ramoski, S., Nystrom, R. (2007).

133. Gambling & Oregon Teens
• Six in 10 Oregon (63 percent) have gambled
• 46 percent gambled in the past year
• 3 percent gamble weekly or more
• Six percent problem gamblers or at risk
• Preferred games in order:
– Free Internet gambling-type games
– Cards (poker)
– Sports bets
– Games of personal skill
Source: Volberg, et al (2008; bid).

134. 2010 Oregon Student Wellness
Survey (Lane County)
Lane County Youth
Gambled Drank Alcohol Binge Drank Alcohol Smoked MJ Smoked Cigarettes
50
44.3
45 41.0
40
Percentage
34.5 33.7
35
30 27.2
25 22.6 21.8
20
14.1
15 11.9
8.5 9.1
10 6.9
5 1.4 2.4 2.1
0
6th 8th 11th
Grade
Data Source: Oregon Student Wellness Survey, 2010 Full report available at: http://preventionlane.org/sws.htm

135. Youth gambling and alcohol use
Used alcohol in the past month
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
Percentage
50%
Did not gamble Gambled
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Grade 6 Grade 8 Grade 11

136. Youth gambling and binge drinking
Binge drank in past 30 days
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
Percentage
25%
Did not gamble Gambled
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Grade 6 Grade 8 Grade 11

137. Youth gambling and smoking
Smoked cigarettes in the past month
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
Percentage
25%
Did not gamble Gambled
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Grade 6 Grade 8 Grade 11

138. Youth gambling and marijuana
Used marijuana in the past month
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
Percentage
25%
Did not gamble Gambled
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Grade 6 Grade 8 Grade 11

139. Youth gambling and skipping
school
Skipped school one or more days in the past month
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
Percentage
25%
Did not gamble Gambled
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Grade 6 Grade 8 Grade 11

140. Youth gambling and suicide attempts
Percent of youth who attempted suicide in the past
year
30%
25%
Percentage
20%
Did not gamble
15% 11.3%
9.0% Gambled
10% 7.2%
5.0%
5%
0%
Grade 8 Grade 11

141. Youth gambling and suicide
attempts
Percent of youth that attempted suicide in the past
year
30%
25% 21.0% Did not
18.6% bet/gamble
Percentage
20%
more than
15% wanted to
10.1%
10% 8.0%
Bet/gambled
5% more than
wanted to
0%
Grade 8 Grade 11

142. 2010 Oregon Student Wellness
Survey (Lane County)

143. What’s increasing the most?

144. Conclusion:
Teens who gamble are
smoked up, toked up,
drunk emo delinquents.

145. Conclusion:
Teens who gamble are
smoked up, toked up,
drunk emo delinquents.

146. Problem Gambling is
ONE COMPONENT of Problem
Behaviors
sexual
behavior
delinquency
Problem
smoking
Behaviors
gambling
drug
use

147. …yet parents don’t see it.
2010 Oregon Student Wellness
Survey, Lane County
Parents Discussed Gambling Parents Discussed Substance Use
100
90
80 75.1
Percentage
69.4
70 65.0
61.7
60
50 46.8
40 33.8
30
20
10
0
6th 8th 11th
Grade
Data Source: Oregon Student Wellness Survey, 2010

148. Targeting Parental Attitudes
Parental attitudes
Oregon parent/youth focus
groups revealed:
– All parents in the groups said their kids didn’t
gamble
– All kids in the groups said they did gamble
– Neither sees gambling as risky

149. Targeting Parental Attitudes
Most parents believe:
• Youth gambling is harmless
• Youth who gamble are unlikely to have
problems in school
• Youth gambling is not associated with alcohol
or drug use
…and those beliefs are part of the problem

150. Teachers aren’t teaching it.*
2010 Oregon Student Wellness Survey, Lane County
Teachers Discussed Gambling Special Class About Substance Use
100
90
80
Percentage
72.3
70
58.8
60
50 43.3
38.9
40
28.9
30
22.2
20
10
0
6th 8th 11th
*Most teachers find themselves with less time to address health in general,
and are asked to cover a variety of topics. Grade
ata Source: Oregon Student Wellness Survey, 2010

151. Risk Factors
• Single-parent household • Started gambling before
• Gambling on 8th grade (early
cards/sports initiation)
• Being male, older teen • Parents who gamble--
• Lower household income youth twice as likely to
be at-risk gamblers &
• Competitive
four times as likely to be
• Having lost more than problem gamblers
$50 in a single month
Source: Volberg, et al (2008; bid).

152. Creating conditions in families, schools, and
communities that promote the wellbeing
of people
–Emotional and behavioral health
–Physical health

153. Prevention:
Statewide & Local Efforts
 Partnership with Department of
Education
 Curriculum integration in schools
 Youth video
 Oregon youth prevalence study
 Community Resource Guide*
 Middle School Poster Contest
 Partnering with addictions prevention
providers/groups
 Policy & coalition work
Resource guide can be downloaded at: http://lanecounty.org/prevention/gambling/opgaw.htm

154. • Crashed cars
• “Scared straight”
• Boot camp
• One-time activities

155. [follow-up link: best practices
http://preventionlane.org/best-practices.htm]

156. Examples in Lane County

157. Focus
Our efforts have a
focus on:
• Public awareness
• Policy

158. Methods

159. Targeting Those At Higher Risk
• Alternative high schools
• School counselors
• At risk youth programs
• Youth detention facilities
• Adolescent addiction treatment
• School sports

160. Results
• Prevention and awareness efforts in Oregon
have been able to avert an increase in the
prevalence while facing a dramatic increase in
the availability of gambling opportunities.
• Local efforts have provided prevention and
awareness information to an estimated 1.3
million Oregonians.

161. Key Challenges in Prevention
• Youthful subject
• Perception of
harmlessness
• Stigma/shame
• Industry

162. Class Discussions
(what we did in groups)
• Poker: Zach & his brother
• Casino night discussion
• Prevention slogan development
• Similarities & differences with problem gambling
/ other addictions
• Non-financial consequences of gambling
• Internet – implications of legalizing internet
gambling
• Treatment: Addressing risky behaviors among
potential problem gamblers

164. Under $100 $1,000-$2,500
$100-$1,000 More than $2,500

165. Problem gambling
treatment is ‘free’ in
Oregon for gamblers
AND loved ones.

166. What we discussed. Anything
lingering?
• Gambling trends
• Addictions connections
• The brain
• Treatment
• Family/multicultural issues
• Prevention
• The future…

167. Thank you & best wishes in
all you do! For more Info…
Julie Hynes, MA, CPS
Course questions:
hynes@uoregon.edu
Contact info: Lane County Public Health
Prevention Program
541.682.3928 | julie.hynes@co.lane.or.us
preventionlane.org
problemgamblingprevention.org