Gambling is this country’s newest great American past-time. Winning the lottery is now the number one American fantasy. High schools are scheduling mock casino nights. Slot machines are available in restaurants. Charities are graduating from bingo to Las Vegas Nights and Millionaire Parties. Grandparents are giving children lottery tickets for birthdays and Christmas. Retail outlets are selling toys that look like slot machines as well as a variety of playable card games used in gambling houses. In just a few years, gambling has become part of our daily lives.1 Odds are—you know a teen who gambles.
Everybody Loves a Winner
People love winners. For those youngsters who lack self-esteem, winning a bet provides an instant, though temporary boost in confidence and esteem. Gambling makes them feel important and looked up to by others—part of the group and powerful—a remarkably heady experience and one they most assuredly would like to repeat. This imprint for many young people is the beginning of a downward spiral on an addictive journey. Although gambling addiction is not a new problem, youth of today are the first to grow up in an era when gambling is not only socially accepted but also promoted extensively. While the long-term effects of this are still unclear and difficult to predict, more and more experts are expressing concern over the increased potential of future problems with gambling among young people.2
What is Compulsive Gambling?
In 1976 less than 1% (.77%) of people in the United States were probable compulsive gamblers. This represented 1.1 million people—yet the DSM-IV diagnosis didn’t show up until 1980. Gambling is any behavior that involves the risking of money or valuables on the outcome of a game, contest, or other event that is partially or totally dependent on chance. Compulsive and/or pathological gambling is a progressive behavior disorder, which has three phases and is characterized by uncontrollable urges to gamble. In the Winning Phase, gambling is fun, exciting, entertaining, and “rewarding” with occasional big wins. The gambler has unreasonable optimism, exhibits irrational thinking, and fantasizes about the big win. Unfortunately what starts out as fun can lead down a dark road. Over time the gambler moves to the Losing Phase, where his or her bets are increasing although he or she is losing consistently. The person gambles to recoup losses (called “chasing the bet”). The gambler will sell personal possessions and/or borrow from others to stay “in action” in the game. There is such a preoccupation with gambling that the person will miss school/work. The Desperation Phase is just before hopelessness. The person resorts to any means necessary, including illegal/criminal activity, to cover bets. The gambler alienates from family and friends, exhibits decreased self-esteem, depression, and panic. The desperation phase can even lead to suicide. In order for a person to be classified with a pathological gambling disorder he or she must meet 5 of the 10 diagnostic criteria listed in the DSM-IV.3 Twenty years after the diagnosis has become an official disorder, people still barely understand gambling addiction. Even more crucial is the impact that gambling addiction has on the future of our country and our youth. Many would argue that there is really nothing about which to be alarmed. Yet the facts would indicate otherwise: • According to Howard Shaffer, Director of the Center for Addiction Studies at Harvard Medical School, roughly 6% of American adolescents (more than one million) are already addicted to gambling. And one in six teens experience gambling-related problems.4 • At least 1 in 10 teens engages in illegal activity (stealing, shoplifting, selling drugs, or prostitution) to finance his or her gambling.5 • A 1997 survey of 12,000 6th–12th graders in Louisiana found that 86% had gambled, 6% met criteria for pathological gambling, and 16% classified as problem gamblers.6 • A 1995 survey by University of Minnesota researchers found that 52% of under age Minnesota youth had gambled on legal activities. 7 • A survey of high school students in Massachusetts found that 5% had been arrested for gambling related offenses.8 • In a 1998 survey of 12 Atlantic City casinos, approximately 58,000 juveniles were prevented from entering the casinos and over 36,000 were evicted from the Casinos.9 JoAnna Franklin, Vice President of the National Council on Problem Gambling, described casinos and other forms of gambling as the forbidden fruit from which youth are longing to take a bite.10 Our young people are being beguiled with exciting images of wealth, power, status, and freedom. Gambling is glorified and glamorized. The messages that adolescents have received appeal to their “take the risk” mentality: “All you need is a dollar and a dream.” “Somebody has to win, why not you?” “You’ve got to play to win.” With all the media hype, the lure of temptation is compelling even though gambling is illegal for anyone under the age of 18. Today’s youth are growing up fast and look as well as act a lot older than they are. Unfortunately many young people lack the wisdom and maturity that comes with age. With the advent of modern technology, youth can now gamble anonymously, 24 hours a day, with instant access to virtual casinos and without showing identification. On the Internet you can be any age you chose. Many youth have moved from playing games on their computers to buying stocks. Day-trading (making a calculated investment for a supposed prosperous future in an ever fluctuating market) provides that intense rush or high and that illusive promise of immediate riches that so many are seeking. The recent movie release Boiler Room portrays the rise and fall of this fast-paced lifestyle. It is the story of Seth, a young man who wants more out of life than what can be bought or sold on-line. The movie was quick to point out that Seth’s gambling was not just about the money. In reality, his was a quest for avoidance of pain and grief, increased self-esteem, respect from his peers, and parental approval.
Why Do Teens Gamble?
Often there is a history of gambling in the family or the behavior is the result of influence from parents, teachers, or other role models. Sometimes it is due to problems at home—the teen is looking to escape from the cruel reality of misuse, abuse, or abandonment. Low self-esteem, boredom, peer pressure, seeking excitement, the action of the game, to win money, to gain attention from peers or just have fun are also cited as reasons why teens gamble. Other motivations are the opportunity to be in an adult environment doing an adult activity and the powerful influence of advertising. The typical profile of an adolescent gambler is not what one would expect. These young people are usually competitive, intelligent, energetic, articulate, impulsive/ risktakers, achievement oriented, good students (particularly at math), clever at rationalizing and justifying behavior, usually have part time jobs, and may have engaged in some other forms of addictive behavior (drugs, alcohol, eating, shopping). Ed Looney, Executive Director of the Council of Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, has provided the following characteristics: gamblers are usually male (95%); games of choice among male adolescents include betting on sports games, cards, dice, lottery, horses, and casinos. Female adolescent gamblers tend to bet on lotteries, casinos, race tracks, bingo, and playing cards.11 Billiards, Internet, video games, and sporting events all provide teens with betting opportunities that can lead to gambling problems.
Warning Signs
Although there are similarities between substance addiction and gambling, the differences are what make gambling more difficult to detect. Compulsive gambling has been called the hidden disorder. It is not detectable with a blood test or a breath test. Compulsive gamblers don’t stagger or slur their speech. Gamblers are usu- ally functional until they hit bottom or financial crises. When a police officer committed suicide inside Detroit’s new Motor City Casino, the world took notice. Several close friends, neighbors, and coworkers indicated that there were no visible indications that the officer was experiencing difficulty in any area of his personal or professional life. Warren Biller, Executive Director of the Michigan Council on Problem Gambling, indicated to the media that gamblers can rapidly slide downhill into a state of hopelessness that can lead to suicide.12 Youth are even more at risk for suicidal behavior due to their impulsive nature. The list below includes warning signs of possible teenage problem gambling:
• asking for money, borrowing from friends and family
• having gambling “stuff” at home (lottery tickets, betting sheets, dice, cards)
• unexplained debts or windfall cash
• telephone calls late at night, calls from strangers, and higher phone bills
• unexplained absences from home, school, or work
• increased daydreaming and anxiety
• extreme moodiness
• withdrawal from relationships, school groups, or activities
• exaggerated display of money or other material possessions
• unexplainable increase in valuable items
• sudden drop in grades or failure to complete assignments on time
• unrealistic loss of valuable gifts given to them at their birthdays, Christmas, etc. A chart developed by the Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling demonstrates the road taken by adolescent problem gamblers or adolescents at risk. At any point along the journey, teachers, counselors, parents, and youth workers can post a yield or indication that danger is just ahead. We need to stop waiting to see if our youth will fall into a ditch. At the speed in which gambling addiction progresses, it can lead to many accidents. Compulsive gambling is treatable. The downward spiral can be reversed. Destructive behavior can be stopped.
What We Can Do
Though many schools are informing students about the dangers inherent in smoking, alcohol, and drug consumption, few are proving warnings about potentially addictive qualities of gambling. The following activities are suggested as ways to raise awareness around this issue:
• Show a video on teenage gambling and discuss the issues presented.
• Sponsor a guest speaker at your local school to discuss teen gambling issues.
• Research and write an article on teen gambling for your school or local newspaper.
• Develop a school or community display highlighting the issues around problem gambling.
• Set up teams to research and debate the pros and cons of gambling.
• Ask students to watch for ads on TV, radio, or billboards on gambling. Discuss the messages these ads are trying to convey about gambling and how these messages affect attitudes and behaviors towards gambling.
• Help students understand the mathematical probabilities of gambling. For example, as a lottery ticket buyer, they are 5 times more likely to be eaten by a shark, 7 times more likely to be struck by lightning, 6,000 times more likely to be hit by a car, and 500,000 times more baby—often the result of sweat and tears. If I really didn’t like a book, I didn’t review it. It is an honor, then, to finish this run with a book that has had a profound influence on me in the past few weeks. Andy Stanley is a pastor in Atlanta. He maybe gets tired of being described as Charles Stanley’s son but like the father (to whom the book is dedicated), the son is an outstanding communicator. You may be a parent with a vision for your children, a CEO with a vision for your corporation, or a counselor with a vision for your practice. But for every role in your life, Stanley argues that a clear vision “along with the courage to follow through, dramatically increases your chances of coming to the end of your life, looking back with a deep abiding satisfaction, and thinking, I did it. I succeeded. I finished well. My life counted.” This book was sent to me as a gift, but soon I found myself underlining parts and writing notes in it as I read this practical volume. I called Amazon.com and ordered copies to give away. You might do the same. The book builds on the visionary perspective and accomplishments of Nehemiah, but this is no dull Bible study. Building on solid biblical principles but with his feet planted firmly in the 21st century, Stanley shows how all of us—counselors and clients—can discover our visions and move forward, guided by God rather than by drive or ambition. The author points out that nobody develops a vision alone, but he notes that “people want to be part of something God is up to. They will join you in your vision if they are confident it is not simply your vision” but God’s. Many years ago I learned that a book review often says more about the reviewer than about the book. Others might not share my enthusiasm, but if you don’t have much time to read, consider getting Stanley’s book. Read it. Apply it to yourself. And apply its principles to your counselees.
Sabrina D. Black, M.A., LLPC, C.A.C.- I, is in private practice at Abundant Life Counseling Center at the office of Mental Health Resource Associates, PC in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Sabrina is an active member of the Michigan Counseling Association and the Michigan Council on Problem Gambling. She can be reached at SDBlack@mhraonline.com
