GAMBLING
The Missouri Department of Mental Health
www.dmh.mo.gov/ada/facts/gambling.htm
Gambling refers to risking something of value on an event of uncertain outcome. Legal forms of gambling available in Missouri include raffles, charitable games (i.e. bingo, pull-tabs, etc.), Missouri Lottery games, and licensed riverboat casinos. Many illegal forms of gambling are also available, including sports betting, dice and card games, Internet gambling, illegal slot machines (i.e. Cherry Master, Silver Falls , etc.), animal fighting, and underage gambling.
Problem and Compulsive Gambling
Compulsive gambling is a behavior disorder in which an individual has an uncontrollable preoccupation and urge to gamble. It is a progressive addiction characterized by increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, "chasing" losses, emotional dependence on gambling, and loss of control. The compulsive gambler gets the same effect from gambling as someone else might get from drinking alcohol, taking a tranquilizer, or taking cocaine.
The impact of a gambling addiction far exceeds the obvious financial losses incurred by the repeated gambling. For example:
- Studies indicate 25-50 percent of spouses of problem gamblers have been abused.
- Children of compulsive gamblers are often prone to suffer abuse, as well as neglect.
- Children of problem gamblers are at a higher risk of developing health threatening behaviors, including alcohol and drug abuse, problem gambling, eating disorders, depression, and suicide.
Extent of Problem
- Approximately 1 percent of adults are estimated to meet the criteria for compulsive gambling in a given year. Another 2-3 percent would be considered problem gamblers.
- Adolescent prevalence rates of problem gambling are 2-4 times that of adults. The highest rates reported are among those 18-25 years of age.
- The estimated annual cost for problem and pathological gamblers is $5 billion per year and an additional $40 billion in lifetime costs for productivity reductions, social service, and creditor losses.
- Each problem gambler negatively impacts 10 to 17 people around them, including family, employer, co-workers, and government.
Some of the More Common Warning Signs of a Gambling Problem
- Losing time from work or school due to gambling (or thinking about gambling)
- Becoming restless and/or irritable when trying to cut back or stop gambling
- Lying about the amount of time and/or money spent on gambling
- Gambling to escape problems (stress) or to feel better
- Gambling more money, or returning, to "get even" after losses (chasing losses)
- Neglecting the care of one's self or family due to gambling
- Relying on others for financial assistance
- Committing or planning illegal acts to finance gambling
- Problems with job, school or relationships
You can also find more information on the following Web sites:
Sources
Missouri Constitution, Article III, Sections 39(a) through 39(f)National Council on Problem Gambling
Nevada Council on Problem Gambling
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition, 1994), commonly known as DSM-IV, published by the American Psychiatric Association
National Gambling Impact Study Commission Final Report (1999)
Politzer RM, Yesalis CE, Hudak CJ. 1992. The epidemiologic model and the risk of legalized gambling: Where are we headed? Health Values 16:20-27