Sports Related Problem Gambling – Who is at Risk?

Anyone can develop a gambling problem – young, old, male, female, rich or poor. All games of chance are a potential threat to a person at risk for gambling addiction. However, sports gambling is becoming more invasive in today’s society and is reaching younger audiences. The 2010 National Annenberg Survey of Youth showed that sports betting is the most popular form of gambling among youth 14 - 22.

Nearly a quarter of adolescent males bet on sports in an average month. According to the NCAA, 92% of male college athletes reported that they started gambling [on sports or any other gambling] in high school or earlier. Many students are first introduced to wagering on sports by completing an NCAA tournament bracket or buying a Super Bowl square, suggesting these forms of gambling may serve as a gateway to more expensive and dangerous forms of betting, according to a study conducted by Tim Otteman of US News & World Report. The NCAA estimates that 1 in 10 Americans will complete a tournament bracket, and CNBC estimates that $6-12 billion is wagered on March Madness.

While betting on a tournament or football game does not automatically cause a problem or put someone on the path towards addiction, its popularity does create the need for education and encouraging responsible gambling practices.

Much of the recent research shows a higher interest, and thereby higher risk, to males and youth.

According to the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University, boys develop more gambling problems than girls because they are more competitive and enjoy feeling important when they win. Also, boys are more susceptible to develop gambling problems than girls because they participate in gambling activities that are more problematic, such as sports betting. They believe that because they know all the teams and the players, they have a good chance of winning their bet. Many teenagers have developed a gambling problem due to their participation in betting on sports events.

Athletes are at a high risk for sports gambling for many reasons including unreasonable expectation of winning, competitive personalities, need for action and excitement, ability to play through pain and perception of social norms. Some other risk factors of problem gambling in general include being an athlete, belief in one’s own skill, racial and ethnic minorities are at a higher risk of developing a gambling addiction, easy access to money, and having a family history of addiction.

National Problem Gambling Awareness Week is an ideal time to raise awareness of problem gambling and responsible gaming. While anyone is at risk, there are specific risk factors to be aware of. Know the risk factors, and know your limits before you place a bet.
Public service message provided by he National Council on Problem Gambling.

Please join us on March 22, 6:00pm at the Swanson Library at 90th and Dodge Street for a free event that will help acknowledge March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month.
 
Speak with a counselor who specializes in treating those suffering with gambling problems and their family members.  Find the answer to your      questions.

· How to help someone you care about who has a problem.
· Youth Gambling: How to protect your children.
· Financial Problems: How to protect your money.
· Gambling in the workplace: How to protect your business.

Did you know that 4-6% of adolescents have experienced problem gambling? That is double the number of adults. Yikes!

Gambling has recently been pushed into the spotlight with Michael Jordan’s son tweeting about losing $35,000 in one night. With the stress of being an athlete he is already more likely than his peers to struggle with gambling addiction. Michael Jordan’s son (and you!) are part of a generation growing up in a world where gambling is socially acceptable. Gambling is so intertwined in pop culture, it even made an appearance in the hit movie Toy Story 3 and the short film preceding the blockbuster! Luckily there are shows like A&E’s Intervention and MTV’s True Life to depict the some of the awful realities of the compulsive gambler.  Hitting it big and living easy seems to be a widespread goal, but pursuing this fantasy is not worth the risk. Those addicted to gambling are up to 20x more likely to commit suicide so, especially as a teen, you’re betting on more than your money.

If you or someone you know has an addiction (don’t count anyone out- everyone is at risk!) he or she may lie to cover up how much money or time is spent gambling, miss important events to gamble, use gambling jargon frequently, try to win back money from previous losses or perhaps express a desire to quit or cut back on gambling.

With National Problem Gambling Awareness Week upon us, remember to play for fun, not for money. It’s just a game. Don’t let it become more.

For more information or confidential help call 1-800-522-4700.
Information shared by the National Council on Problem Gambling for Problem Gambling Awareness Week.

On Saturday January 22, I did a 4 hour presentation to about 14 adolescents at Morning Star Luteran Church.  The presentation was about gambling addiciton and substance abuse and how those things can impact a person's hopes and dreams in a less than positive way.  As part of this presentation I shared this video that I found on YouTube.  Please check it out and share it with the kids and teens in your life to help them get a different perspective on problem and pathological or addictive gambling.  Let me know if you have any questions.    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2tdCdKqvoU