Showing papers in "Journal of Gambling Issues in 2002"

Characteristics of People Seeking Help from Specialized Programs for the Treatment of Problem Gambling in Ontario

Abstract: Objectives: The objectives of this study are to estimate the number of people seeking treatment on an annual basis in Ontario at specialized problem gambling treatment programs and describe important characteristics of clients. Method: Agency staff prospectively collected four broad information categories from clients: demographics, gambling activities, problem severity and services received, and submitted the data to a central database. Sample: The report includes submissions (total caseload equals 2224) from 44 designated problem gambling programs between January 1, 1998 and April 30, 2000. Results: Of the 2224 clients in treatment, 1625 (73.5%) were seeking help for their own gambling problem, and 504 (22.8%) were seeking help in dealing with a family member/significant other's gambling problem. The overall gender ratio of cases in treatment was about 1.4:1 (58.3% to 41.7%) males to females. A wide range of gambling activities was reported as problematic. Conclusion: Only a small percentage of people experiencing problems related to gambling are seeking help from specialized treatment programs. Population survey data are needed in Ontario to assess the potential over- or under- representation of particular sub-groups in treatment compared to the epidemiology of problem gambling in the community.

Are lottery scratchcards a "hard" form of gambling?

Abstract: This article argues that scratchcards are not an extension of the online U.K. National Lottery but an entirely different form of gambling, with its own implications for future gambling policy. It also argues that scratchcards are potentially addictive and should be considered a "hard" form of gambling. The author suggests that scratchcard gambling could become a repetitive habit for some people because of their integrated mix of conditioning effects, rapid event frequency, short payout intervals and psychological rewards coupled with the fact that scratchcards require no skill and are highly accessible, deceptively inexpensive and available in "respectable" outlets. On March 21, 1995, Camelot - the consortium that runs the U.K. National Lottery online - introduced scratchcards. Like the online game, 28% of ticket sales contribute towards "good causes" distributed by the National Lotteries Charities Board. Although scratchcards are not new to the United Kingdom, many people view them as intricately linked with the National Lottery. Camelot's scratchcards were the first to benefit from both heavy advertising (television, national newspapers, billboards, etc.) and large jackpots (e.g., £50,000), which meant they became successful very quickly.

Gambling by college athletes: An association between problem gambling and athletes

Abstract: This investigation compares the prevalence rates of pathological and problem gambling between college athletes and non-athletes. Participants in the study included 954 students enrolled in health and safety classes from nine universities belonging to the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Of these students, 129 (14%) were classified as athletes. The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), designed to measure pathological gambling, was used as the testing instrument. Participants were asked additional questions to determine athletic participation and to gather demographic information. Cross tabulations, Pearson chi-square tests and Cramer's V tests were used to determine if there were significant associations between groups. On the whole, significant associations were not found between athletes and non-athletes and pathological and problem gambling; however, a statistically significant association was found between problem gambling and female athletes. The prevalence rates of pathological and problem gambling among athletes were 6.2% and 6.2%, while the prevalence rates among non-athletes were 3.4% and 3.3%.

Online help for problem gambling: Why it is and is not being considered

Abstract: Despite an increasing prevalence of gambling problems, evidence suggests that most people do not receive help for their problems. The issue of stigma has been cited as a contributing factor. Technological advances have now made it possible for individuals who are concerned about stigma to seek help for their problems without making any personal disclosures. In this way, the inherent advantages of the Internet (privacy, convenience, safety and portability) help to ensure that assistance for problem gamblers is always available and that concerns about stigma are neutralized. Unfortunately, many who might benefit from Internet-based help are unaware of these possibilities, and treatment specialists and other health-care professionals may not direct problem gamblers to these services. This paper considers: 1. What is available to problem gamblers through the Internet? 2. What is known about the efficacy of such services?, and 3. Possible reasons why problem gamblers have not been referred to the Internet by point-of-entry personnel. Implications for future action will be discussed.

Treating the Person with a Gambling Problem

Abstract: This short article presents compelling reasons for the treatment of problematic gambling from a solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) perspective. It reviews a set of techniques designed for use by practitioners and clients who face this problem and its serious emotional, social and financial consequences. Although SFBT has theoretical and philosophical foundations, the focus of this article is the "how-to" aspect of importance to both clinicians and clients. SFBT lends itself well to self-help models and group therapy settings, since clients can benefit from asking similar questions of themselves or of one another in group settings.

Lotteries and the Problem Gambling Community: Myths and Countermyths

Abstract: This article argues that scratchcards are not an extension of the online U.K. National Lottery but an entirely different form of gambling, with its own http://www.camh.net/egambling/issue7/opinion/scratchcards.html (1 of 11) [12/22/2002 11:51:15 PM] EJGI:7:Opinion:Are lottery scratchcards a \"hard\" form of gambling? implications for future gambling policy. It also argues that scratchcards are potentially addictive and should be considered a \"hard\" form of gambling. The author suggests that scratchcard gambling could become a repetitive habit for some people because of their integrated mix of conditioning effects, rapid event frequency, short payout intervals and psychological rewards coupled with the fact that scratchcards require no skill and are highly accessible, deceptively inexpensive and available in \"respectable\" outlets. On March 21, 1995, Camelot — the consortium that runs the U.K. National Lottery online — introduced scratchcards. Like the online game, 28% of ticket sales contribute towards \"good causes\" distributed by the National Lotteries Charities Board. Although scratchcards are not new to the United Kingdom, many people view them as intricately linked with the National Lottery. Camelot's scratchcards were the first to benefit from both heavy advertising (television, national newspapers, billboards, etc.) and large jackpots (e.g., £50,000), which meant they became successful very quickly. Scratchcards: Some frequently asked questions and answers Before going into more detail, here is a brief overview of scratchcards in a \"frequently asked questions\" model used by Aasved and Schaefer (1995) in their account of pull-tab gambling. What are scratchcards? Scratchcards are laminated cardboard tickets where the object is to win money by matching three symbols or amounts of money by rubbing a box covering the symbols or amounts. The face of every scratchcard contains the name of the game (e.g., Mystic Money), the operator's name and the objective (e.g., \"Match 3 symbols to win amounts shown.\"). The reverse side of the scratchcard usually contains the simple play instructions (i.e., \"Rub off the box. Find 3 like amounts, win that amount\"), overall odds of winning (which differ in most games but are usually about one in five), the prize range (e.g., £1 to £50,000), the operator's address to claim big prizes (usually over £75) and a notice that \"Players must be 16 years or older.\" Where are they found? Scratchcards are sold in a wide variety of outlets, including supermarkets, news agents, petrol stations, post offices, small retailers, http://www.camh.net/egambling/issue7/opinion/scratchcards.html (2 of 11) [12/22/2002 11:51:16 PM] EJGI:7:Opinion:Are lottery scratchcards a \"hard\" form of gambling?

Winning Web sites: Researching gambling on the Internet

Abstract: On-line reports and papers are an increasingly popular way to distribute research findings. This trend seems to be especially true for the field of gambling and gaming research. New reports can be disseminated from Web sites to the rest of the Internet-connected world almost instantaneously. Oftentimes, these on-line reports contain more complete and detailed information than subsequent journal articles that report the same findings. As a librarian for the Alberta Gaming Research Institute, I’ve had the opportunity to identify hundreds of Web sites that include such reports. This review summarizes a number of these sites that provide access to original research reports and studies in electronic formats — generally HTML or PDF files (which are viewable in most current Web browsers).

Understanding the school culture: Guidelines for conducting gambling research in secondary schools

Abstract: This article provides an overview of the importance of youth gambling research, the methodological issues faced when conducting research in secondary schools, and recommendations for conducting effective youth gambling research that benefits academia, the community, staff, students and parents within the school systems. Based on our recent experience, we advocate a research approach that integrates the findings of youth gambling research into school curriculum, community youth agencies and the development, evaluation and enhancement of program and policy interventions. By doing so, we find that we are able to foster strong, respectful relationships with the community and encourage collaboration, co-operation and multidisciplinary alliances. If researchers follow these guidelines, they can ensure that youth gambling research goes beyond scholarly publishing and is transferred and applied within the community to reduce youth gambling problems.

The Habit Change Workbook: How to Break Bad Habits and Form Good Ones.

Abstract: This book was jointly written by a cognitive-behavioural psychologist and a nurse turned writer. Consequently, it is an easy-to-read work that claims to include \"proven techniques for eliminating a wide range of unwanted habits\" of which gambling is one of many. In one of the early chapters, the authors state that this book is not a substitute for medical, psychiatric or psychological treatment. They also state that the treatment of addictions is beyond the scope of the book. Furthermore, addictions are viewed as primarily physiological, involving the ingestion of a psychoactive substance like nicotine, alcohol or other drugs. This suggests the implicit assumption that gambling is not a bona fide addiction and is akin to other \"bad habits\" covered in the book, such as sleeping problems, relationship issues and health and fitness concerns.