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Gambling addiction among adults on rise because of VLTs
However, problem gambling starts earlier among teenagers

Eight percent of teenagers are problem gamblers, said Ralph McNabb, executive director of the Canadian Foundation on Compulsive Gambling.  Another 15 percent are in danger of becoming problem gamblers.  This compares to five percent of adults who are compulsive gamblers.

Teenagers don’t play the slots or VLTs (video lottery terminals), but instead get addicted to sports pools, betting on games or pool among other forms of gambling.  They model their behavior on adults, said McNabb, who was speaking to the Edmonton (Alberta) Gateway Rotary Club.

Gambling problems among adults have greatly escalated since the introduction of the VLT, McNabb, who is a recovering gambler, affirmed.  VLTs are the most addictive form of gambling in Alberta today.  Whereas someone addicted to bingo can still “scrape up enough money,” VLT players can’t.  They resort to borrowing, selling belongings, and eventually stealing to feed their habit.

VLTs are faster and a player’s losses add up quicker.  Its availability in most bars and lounges has increased the problem. Compulsive gambling increased by 30 times with the introduction of VLTs in 1992 in the province of Alberta.  Players win just enough to keep them playing.  With VLTs 70 percent of the intake goes out in winnings; 30 percent goes to the government and VLT owners.  A player could have short-term winnings, but eventually they loss, said McNabb.

Some people argue that compulsive gamblers will find places to gamble even without VLTs.  McNabb claims that greater availability of VLTs had been the major cause for the increase in problem gambling.

Gamblers go through three stages on the way to addiction.  In the first phase they win more than they lose.  In the second phase they chase their loses, but never catch up.  The third is the desperation phase.

In the desperation phase, compulsive gamblers resort to illegal activities to support their addiction.  Compulsive gamblers do white collar crime and seldom resort to violence.

Chronic gamblers eventually face three choices, according to McNabb.  They steal to support their habit, commit suicide, or seek help.  Almost all compulsive gamblers will steal in one way or another.  Gambler suicide is higher than any other group.  Gambling Anonymous has found that 20 percent of its members tried to commit suicide before seeking help.  Seventy percent indicated they wanted to die.  Fifty percent had a plan.  Only one in 50 problem gamblers ever seeks help.

Government has become the main supporter of gambling.  It claims the earnings from gambling benefit all society.  Over $2.8 billion is wagered in Alberta on VLTs.  In the year ending March 31, 1999, the Alberta government earned $765 million from 6,000 VLTs in the province.  Seventy-seven percent of the money from VLTs is from problem gamblers.

Some social scientists estimate that the costs to society are at least equal to the benefits.  Others estimate that the costs may be up to three times the benefits.

Some of the costs are loss in productivity, increase in work-related accidents, family separation and divorce and the resulting poverty, and stealing and embezzlement from business.  McNabb said gamblers spend 94 percent of their waking time thinking about gambling: where to get money, how to pay debts, how to win more.

The Canadian Foundation on Compulsive Gambling supports responsible gambling and offers help to addicts.  (Phone 780 461 1259.) 

Another source of help is Gambling Anonymous, which is based on the 12-step spiritual program of Alcoholics Anonymous and is self-supporting by member contributions. 

In Alberta, a government agency, the AADAC (Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission) administers a recovery program in several centres throughout the province.  Although its budget for gambling addiction has been increasing each year, in 1998/99 it was only $3.1 million.

Some facts and history
 

• In Canada, government first entered into gambling in 1967 when the lottery was introduced to bailout the Montreal Olympics.
• In Alberta in 1974, $10 million was wagered in government supported gambling.  In 1998 the figure was close to $3.2 billion. 
• In 1985 the federal government turned responsibility for gambling over to the Canadian provinces.
• In 1986 there were 100 calls to the Edmonton gambling hotline; in 1998 there were 2540 calls.
• Today there are 6,000 VLTs in Alberta.  While government income in 1998 was $765 million, $2.8 billion was wagered on VLTs.  The social costs to the province are estimated to be at least equal to these benefits.
• Charities are a major recipient of the earnings from gambling.  $57 million goes to charities from Bingo; $44 million goes to charities from casinos; $10 million from raffles; and $8.8 million from pull tickets.

Are you concerned about a co-worker’s gambling?

Like other addictions, most people with problem gambling won’t admit they have a problem.  Friends, family or co-workers may have to convince them to seek help.  An AADAC brochure suggests the following signs of a potential gambling problem.
 

• Borrowing money frequently
• Continually boasting about winnings
• Complaining about debts more than usual
• Experiencing drastic mood swings
• Spending increasing amounts of time gambling during lunch hours and after work
• Making an unusually high number of personal telephone calls
• Allowing work performance to deteriorate: being distracted, missing deadlines, having frequent or unexplained absences
• Exhibiting personality changes: being irritable, secretive, dishonest

A 24-hour Gambling Help Line provides confidential information and support to people with gambling problems and to those who are concerned about someone else’s gambling.  Call 1-800-665-9676.

Comments:  E-mail editor@livingbetter.org