SEARCH NEWS:

 

Experts: Early Start in Gambling Causes Long-Term Problem

"…And with the growing social acceptance of gambling and the spread of legal casinos, lotteries and pari-mutuel wagering to 47 of the 50 states, researchers and psychiatric specialists fear the nation is nurturing a generation of problem and pathological gamblers.

"…Research studies suggest about 1.5 percent of U.S. adults are pathological gamblers. The percentage of those with either pathological or less serious gambling disorders may be about 5 percent.

"But the same research shows the prevalence rate of pathological and problem gambling is two to four times higher among teen-agers.

"`Pathological gamblers talk about beginning at a very early age,'[Jeff Derevensky, a professor of child psychology at McGill University in Montreal] told attendees at a conference on problem and pathological gambling this week at the MGM Grand hotel-casino in Las Vegas

"…Gambling among teen-agers is a pretty common activity, according to studies. Some 80 percent of high school students gamble at least once a year. More than 30 percent gamble once a week.

"…Studies have shown that pathological teen-age gamblers have poor coping skills, low self-esteem and high rates of depression and anxiety. The suicide rate among teen-age gamblers is high.

"…Prevention should be part of the school curriculum, researchers say.

"…Still, researchers said the best solution rests in the home. Teaching a boy how to play poker or craps can be regarded as an innocent rite of passage, Derevensky said.

< Gaming News