Pathological gamblers exhibit problems similar to other types of addiction. In addition to various levels of financial difficulty, those with a gambling addiction also experience deterioration in social and family relationships, as well as challenges in academic and professional areas of life. It is important to understand the possible barriers to seeking treatment in order to design effective strategies for intervention.

A recent study investigated whether culture is a factor involved in the stigma that is associated with gambling problems and whether or not people seek treatment (Dhillon, Horch, Hodgins, 2011).

The researchers recruited participants from the University of Calgary, and particularly East Asian and Caucasian individuals from the Psychology Department Research Participation System. There were 64 East Asian individuals and 50 Caucasians involved.

The participants were given questionnaire packets that contained a vignette featuring the description of an East Asian or a Caucasian gambling addict. The vignettes’ only differing feature was the ethnicity of the person described.

The packets also included measures of Attitudinal Social Distance, an assessment that provides information about a person’s willingness to associate with a problem gambler. A higher score represents a lower tolerance for interacting with a problem gambler. The questions used in this measure were adjusted to assess attitudes specific to gambling problems.

The results of the analysis provided information about the stigma attached to problem gambling related to ethnicity. One interesting finding was that East Asian participants preferred more social distance from East Asian gamblers, but there was no difference measured in the desired distance from Caucasian gamblers among participants.

The authors of the study note that there are limitations on the results. For instance, the study only involved university students, and those of East Asian descent enrolled at a university may be more acculturated than other East Asians. In addition, only East Asian and Caucasian individuals were considered in the study. Finally, the measures of social distance may be biased and may not reflect an individuals actual behavior or practices.

The results of the study indicate that there may be support for concern about the stigma associated with problem gambling, especially among certain culture sub-groups. The culture of an individual with a gambling problem may create a significant barrier to seeking out a treatment solution. The authors of the study believe that future research may help identify specific cultural differences that may discourage an individual from seeking help with a gambling problem.

The 1961 Wire Act had once been applied to curb online sports betting but now will open the playing field to state lotteries and gambling. States may now see profits increased to around $12 billion a year for lottery games and nearly $5 billion for Internet gambling, according to Rick Brons, chairman of U.S. Digital Gaming, and a 2010 Morgan Stanley report.

The increase in revenue for states might be good for a struggling economy but the change will hurt those already battling a gambling addiction. A seemingly harmless allowance to an established rule could not only drive more gambling addicts online but also to their local casinos.

Whittier Law school professor, Nelson Rose argues that as states seek to finalize their newfound freedom with gambling revenues they will also need to consider regulations to enable individuals from forming a gambling addiction and to keep minors away from the games, too. There are an estimated 500,000 children, ages 12 to 17, that have gambling problems.

Young adults, well below the legal age to gamble, were already accessing Internet sites that had gaming. Keith Whyte, the executive director of the National Council of Problem Gambling, believes the gaming industry is obviously not doing its job with prevention so they will need to do more now. It is his expectation that the industry will continue with the lackluster job they are currently doing to prevent minors from gambling and those with addiction problems to bury themselves further into a hole.

In an effort to restrict a minor’s access to the gambling websites and for addicts to have limits, Whyte feels states should consider a study to fully understand their individual state’s problem with gambling. Finding a plan to minimize social costs as well as maximizing the revenues for gambling need to be equally considered, he says.

Researchers from the Department of Psychology interviewed people in rehabilitation centers being treated for compulsive gambling. Over 85% had been betting on sports and no-limit poker games. Playing poker while intoxicated raised the risk for financial difficulties by 15,000%. Blackjack games were mentioned by only one percent in the study.

The researchers picked a number of extreme sports from a list of groups and the team then sent a survey to parachuting teams in Norway. The results found that although the skydivers are typically individuals who do thrill-seek, the team found it interesting that the thrill seekers really are healthy individuals without a diagnosis or who are considered to have an illness. Ironically, they scored higher or more extreme in all the groups that were targeted, as compared with the addicted gamblers.

One of their major findings was that the extreme scores for thrill seeking or spontaneity don’t necessarily hold a negative connotation or need to be linked with a diagnosis, as with gambling addiction. The work also suggested that compulsive gamblers might not be able to feed their addiction without risking health or finances. Both groups, extreme sports athletes and gamblers, have a strong craving for powerful stimulus.

There was a noticeable difference on one level, however. Skydivers tend to seek the thrill of new adventures, whereas the gamblers are more locked into their routine. Skydivers do their sport on a less frequent basis but more intensely, whereas the gambler may play the slots all day.

The question that remains is whether the person is born with these impulsive desires such as thrill-seeking or gambling or the need is created as a result of seeking these activities.

A study conducted at Auckland University in New Zealand shows that this adjustment to a new location is taking a toll on the Asian population found there. Led by Amritha Sobrun-Maharaj, the Director of the Centre for Asian and Ethnic Minority Health Research at Auckland University, the study examined the factors leading to heavy gambling among Asian immigrants.

The study shows that many Asian immigrants and refugees in Auckland are using casinos as a safe haven, developing dangerous and addictive gambling habits that may be causing significant problems in the community. The study uncovers the impact of gambling on Asians in Auckland, identifying how it affects their families and their community.

Dr. Sobrun-Maharaj explained when speaking to delegates at the Public Health Association conference at Canterbury’s Lincoln University that the gambling habits have led to the loss of life savings for some Asian immigrants. Others have lost their businesses or their families.

Dr. Sobrun-Maharaj said that the Asian community is now the fourth-largest ethnic population in New Zealand. Approximately 15 percent of that community does not speak English. This results in a feeling of isolation and difficulty when attempting to integrate into a new setting and population.

Many of the immigrants and refugees are facing unemployment or struggle with “misemployment.” This occurs when a person transitions to a new occupation as a result of immigrating, such as when a doctor from India ends up driving taxis in a new country. Dr. Sobrun-Maharaj noted that this kind of transition can result in a severe problem with self-esteem.

Dr Sobrun-Maharaj said that the casino provides an escape where immigrants are made to feel welcome and important. They are escorted to VIP rooms for gambling games and are provided with free food and beverages. There is even a loyalty program offered to encourage the guests to become regulars. Walking into a New Zealand casino, Dr. Sobrun-Maharaj explained, it is very apparent in the number of Asian punters that this is a problem.

The draw for Asian immigrants, or “new New Zealanders,” is not just entertainment, but a perceived chance to significantly improve the family’s finances and standing in the community.

Las Vegas is the home to our nation’s attraction to fast money, but it is quickly losing its draw. Businesses are now choosing less flamboyant destinations for their corporate conventions and residential properties have fallen to nearly half their values in the past three years.

According to an article in The Trumpet, the casino and tourism industry used to foster growth of home sales but is now struggling to maintain its former image, as there are now 48 out of 50 states that offer legalized gambling. States now offer everything from casinos, riverboats, lotteries, Indian casinos, video lottery and slot machines to dog and horse racing. There is also the growing sport of Internet gaming that broadcasts gambling nationwide.

With over 20 million Americans being compulsive or addicted gamblers, our population accounts for nearly half of the worldwide expenditure on gambling, which is about $50 billion. According to a website report on gambling, the average pathological male gambler incurs $55,000 to $90,000 of debt in the U.S., compared to $15,000 for women gamblers.

A journalist with the Los Angeles Times reported the shocking discovery that in California, recipients of welfare can use their state-issued debit cards to withdraw cash while on the gaming floor in over half of the California casinos.

Increased gambling among teens has, not surprisingly, led to gambling addictions. As young people play and lose money, they enter the cycle of playing more in order to recoup losses while only digging themselves deeper into a hole of debt from which they can never hope to climb out.

Increased vulnerability to Gambling Addiction

Teenagers are particularly vulnerable to forming addictions and the adrenaline high that comes along with winnings can make gambling appealing. Unfortunately, addictions that form during youth can be much harder to break than addictions that develop in adulthood.

Boys are more likely than girls to become involved in and addicted to gambling. Many young people fall prey to the allure of the "get rich quick" siren call of gambling. However, boys who are competitive, intelligent, strong in math and who enjoy taking risks seem to be more vulnerable than others.

Signs of Teen Gambling Addiction

Parents who worry that their son may be overly involved in gambling and is either addicted already or headed that direction can look for these signs of addiction:

• Is your son preoccupied with gambling? Is it a constant theme of conversation and interest? Are gambling experiences the most important events of his week?
• Unexplained absences from school
• Requests for money without giving sensible explanations as to why it is needed
• Stealing money from parents
• Sharp declines in your son’s grades at school
• Who is he spending most of his time with? Is he isolating himself from everyone except friends with whom he gambles?
• Unexplainable mood changes
• Poor sleep and hygiene habits

Preventing & Treating Gambling Addiction in Teens

Parents should talk with their children, particularly sons, about the consequences of a gambling addiction. This can be a preventive measure. Discuss as a family the potential risks that gambling and addiction pose. Talk about how addictions distract a person from meaningful relationships with friends and family, and how schoolwork and grades get pushed aside until it seems overwhelming to reestablish solid academic footing. Advise young people of the dangerous paths to which money problems can lead. Few young men who like to gamble with their friends foresee a scenario where they may be tempted into illegal behavior because they are unable to pay gambling debts.

Lastly, parents are acting in the child’s best interest when they point out that gambling addiction can lead a person into associations with people of bad character. Bad company can corrupt good morals.

If parents recognize signs of addiction they should take swift and confident action to intervene. The teen most likely will not admit that they are addicted, but it is up to the parent to decide that things must change. Insisting that the teenager meets with a counselor – a gambling specialist if possible – is a key intervention. The parent also needs to ensure that all access to cash and credit cards has been cut off. If the teen attends a Gamblers Anonymous meeting, there are often Gamanon meetings for parents to attend nearby.

A recent study examined whether gambling venue staff are effective at identifying indicators that show that a patron may be having problems with gambling (Delfabbro, Borgas & King, 2011). Though the employees are trained in recognizing potential problems, accurately judging them in a real-time environment may be difficult.

Signs of Gambling Addiction

Signs of a potential problem with gambling may include:

• Gambling for long periods of time
• Using ATMs
• Placing high-risk bets
• Avoiding social contact

Some employees may notice these behaviors in regular customers, but depending on the atmosphere of the venue and the demands placed on the employees, it may be impossible to recognize a gambling problem.

About the Gambling Research

The study involved interviewing patrons and staff recruited from seven gambling venues in South Australia. The interviews were conducted at various times of the day and on various days of the week. There were 303 patrons who agreed to participate, and they were asked to complete the past-year Problem Gambling Severity Index.

The staff was asked to evaluate the patrons’ gambling status and rate them on a four-point scale. A rating of 1 on the scale indicated "No problems"; a rating of 2 indicated "Might have problems"; a rating of 3 indicated "Suspect patron is a problem gambler"; and a rating of 4 indicated that the employee was "Confident patron has severe gambling-related problems. The staff was only interviewed regarding patrons that they recognized.

The results of the evaluation showed that 40 percent were not at risk for problem gambling, 29 percent were considered low-risk, 22 percent were moderate risk and 9 percent were categorized as problem gamblers.

Staff Struggles to Recognize Problem Gambling

The staff recognized 76 percent of the patrons who participated. However, their ability to identify problem gambling was poor, with staff members inaccurate on the ratings for perceived problems among patrons.

The results of the study are limited by the use of self-report in the assessment of gambling problems among patrons and the use of only one screening tool in the assessment. The researchers also did not use a variety of gambling situations to recruit participants, approaching patrons only at machines in small or medium-sized venues.

The study’s findings indicate that staff assessments are not a reliable way to measure problem gambling among patrons.

Fayetta Martin is an assistant professor at Wayne State University. In 2008 she released a study examining what motivates senior adults to become involved in gambling. She was particularly interested in women and gambling but the study provided a general picture of senior adults and gambling behaviors.

Why Do Seniors Gamble?

According to her study, seniors gamble for several reasons. One reason is financial gain. Supplementing a fixed income is a strong enticement to gambling. However, the thrill of winning and the opportunity for socialization are also strong motivators. Seniors further reported that gambling distracted them from the loneliness they were experiencing and many said that it provides a distraction from their physical ailments as well.

With such motivation it is easy to see the attraction a day of gambling at the casino provides. However, senior adults experience several losses and transitions that could put them at an increased risk for developing serious gambling problems.

Senior adults often must deal with a sudden loss of social contact as they enter into retirement. Within a relatively short period they may also experience losses in physical abilities and the permanent loss of a spouse or loved one. These compounded difficulties can be challenging for all seniors. Seniors who are living away from regular contact with children and family may experience these feelings even more intensely. Without regular family interactions, a serious gambling problem could easily be hidden.

Casinos understand these clients and work hard to make them feel welcome so that they keep them coming back. Seniors can feel isolated as their driving skills diminish, so casinos send posh buses to senior living centers to chauffer them back and forth for their day of gambling. Free or discounted meals are offered. Casinos meets social needs by recognizing birthdays and sending cards in the mail to seniors who have been absent for a time. Beyond this, casinos provide wheelchairs and even oxygen for their senior visitors.

Diagnosing & Treating Gambling Addiction

Diagnosing a gambling problem in a senior adult can prove difficult for several reasons. Reduced family contact allows a gambling problem to develop unnoticed.

Should a problem be identified, the current DSM-IV recognizes only two categories: pathological and non-pathological gambling. In order to be diagnosed as a pathological gambler, five of the 10 criteria must be met, yet seniors who meet four of the 10 criteria could still have a serious gambling problem. Should the person receive a diagnosis of pathological gambling, it is categorized as an impulse control disorder (e.g., kleptomania) rather than as an addictive disorder, which can have a direct impact on insurance payments for treatment.

Senior adults trapped by a gambling problem are in a particularly dangerous position. Some may have reduced cognitive abilities which will diminish their ability to make reasonable decisions. Should the person experience serious financial losses, it could affect their ability to receive a Medicaid-sponsored bed in a full-time senior living facility. Medicaid currently goes back five years to see if the person has divested themselves significantly before awarding help. Divestiture through gambling losses would not exempt the person from ineligibility.

As the population ages, it will be increasingly important for those involved with senior adults to be aware of the potential risks associated with gambling. The United States is on the cusp of a tidal wave of senior adults and gambling is becoming increasingly problematic for them. Recognizing the danger and identifying the signs of problem gambling need to become a regular part of senior care.

In order to develop strategies for the treatment of gambling addictions, therapists must first understand the development and characteristics of pathological gamblers. Recently, a study was conducted that explored different types of gambling strategies in order to understand characteristics of those with gambling disorder (Odlaug, Marsh, Kim & Grant, 2011).

The researchers recruited 440 participants, all over the age of 18. Each participant had a diagnosis of pathological gambling according to DSM-IV criteria, but had no diagnosis of psychotic or bipolar disorders. The participants were all recruited from one of several clinical trials conducted from 2000 to 2008.

The participants were evaluated with a psychiatric assessment and were also assessed for demographics and features of pathological gambling, such as gender and age. A semi-structured clinical interview asked questions about each participant’s preferred styles of gambling. In addition, the researchers assessed pathological gambling symptom severity using the Yale-Brown Obsessive-compulsive Scale Modified for Pathological Gambling.

After assessing the participants’ preferred gambling type, the researchers divided the participants into one of three groups: strategic gamblers (those who play such games as poker, blackjack and enjoy betting on dog and horse racing; N=56); nonstrategic gamblers (those who prefer slot machines, etc.; N=200); and both (those who reported no preference; N=184).

The results of the analysis showed that nonstrategic gamblers tended to be older than strategic gamblers at the onset of gambling addiction, nonstrategic players were also less educated, and were more likely to be female than strategic gamblers.

The study’s results may be limited by its dependence on self-report. The gambler’s self-reported preference may not correspond to the game played most often. In addition, the study included only gamblers seeking assistance for overcoming gambling problems.

The study’s findings may be better understood by further research examining whether education levels and age patterns are consistent among strategic and nonstrategic gamblers when the results are controlled for gender differences. The researchers did not find that there were differences in gambling strategies preferred among gamblers with different levels of gambling addiction severity.

The use of participants who are seeking treatment may significantly reduce the variance in severity of gambling addiction. Results that may be generalizable to pathological gamblers should recruit participants from a more varied source.