Problem Gambling

I read an article in the New York Newsday newspaper regarding the Al Roker Investigates; Kids, Cards and Dice program and it was not too complimentary. In fact I believe the review showed some disdain for Al Roker and the program content. The reviewer was looking for more data on kids gambling and how poker has affected them in a statistical form. After spending two days in Las Vegas last week at the National Center for Responsible Gaming Conference on Addiction and Gambling I can tell you there is NO data available. All of the current studies come from Canada because the government controls all of the casinos. There is very limited funds available for this type of research in the United States; in fact very few researchers are able to receive government grants for gambling research.

In most states the Problem Gambling Office resides underneath the Drug and Alcohol Department and this is the case in my home state of California. Most of the grants are given to the study and treatment of drugs and alcohol. The state of California has commissioned a company to do a survey on Problem Gambling and is spending $1.6 million on this survey. I had a conversation today with a well respected newsreporter on this particular study. The newsreporter told me he is very weary of this survey because in his opinion the survey is being done on a random basis. He told me to think of it as a telemarketer calling your home and asking you about your gambling habits.

If the statistics are correct and 1% of the total adult population are considered pathological gamblers then this study will come up empty handed and they may even think there is NO problem with gambling. The casinos have very strong databases and they know their customers very well. The top 10% of the customers drive 90% of the revenues and of those top 10% I would guess 70% would be considered problem gamblers. This does not mean they are pathological gamblers but they very well may be on their way to bigger and bigger problems. I am not inferring that the casinos do a survey for problem gamblers because this would NEVER happen. There has to be a better way to conduct a survey on problem gambling other than calling people randomly. Besides being bothered by a telemarketer at home how many people will lie about their gambling activities. I know I would have nine and half months ago.

I am not sure what needs to happen to raise the awareness level on problem/pathological gambling but something needs to be done. Everyday there is a news article on someone (like me) stealing, embezzling, or committing other crimes to feed their gambling addiction. I guess it is like any other addiction if you are not directly affected by it why should you care. Maybe the legislators have not been directly affected by compulsive gambling like alcohol and drug addictions. I do know that in Nevada this year they past a law that taxes the slot machines in every casino so there are funds for the awareness and treatment of problem gambling. The only reason why this was past; an assembly person in the Nevada State Senate had a family member who is a compulsive gambler.

What if Pete Rose came out 16 years ago and admitted he was a compulsive gambler and sought treatment? Instead of living in denial all these years. Would he had gotten into the Hall of Fame? Would more people look at the gambling addiction? Who knows; but Mr. Rose continues to live in denial. Oh by the way he did admit to betting on baseball last year to sell a few more books and hopefully have a better chance at getting back into baseball but I didn't see the sincerity in his face.

Gambling is everywhere and in every state. Most people do not have a problem with gambling and can walk away. However; as gambling continues to expand this country will see more and more compulsive gamblers. I know I cannot control any of this I can only control myself. I would like to do something in this field but I have to work on myself first and foremost. I must continue to work my recovery each and every day. I must live honestly and openly and I must improve my character defects. I cannot change the world I can only change myself. It pains me to see other people go through the problems I have gone through and no one should have to live with this addiction. There is a better way to gambling and that way for me is to NOT gamble today and live a life with a purpose. I am on the right track and will continue moving forward one day at a time.