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Gambling Addiction Often Overlooked

WASHINGTON, DC – As reported by the Imperial Valley Press: "…Problem and pathological gambling is often overlooked among addictions. But addicted gamblers can cost millions in productivity, social services and crime. With easy accessibility to casinos, lotteries and other gambling increasing, it's getting harder for addicts to find help, according to gambling counselors.

"…The commercial casino industry spends millions on research and supports a national hotline for gambling addicts, but other gambling industries, such as lotteries and Indian-owned casinos, do little to assist in financing research and treatment, American Gaming Association President Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr., said.

"…Many states faced with budget crises are cutting funding for treatment of gambling addictions while looking to gambling for new sources of revenue. The Texas chapter of the National Council on Problem Gambling lost all $375,000 of its state funding this year, said Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling. The Oregon and Massachusetts legislatures prepared budgets without assistance for addicted gamblers but reinstated the funding.

"…Gamblers Anonymous, a support group for addicts, does not keep statistics. Estimates of problem gamblers vary greatly. Fahrenkopf puts the number at about 1 percent of the population. A 1999 report from the National Gambling Impact Study Commission estimated it to be 1.5 percent of the adult population.

"The commission, convened by Congress to study the impact of gambling in the United States, also found between 3 and 7 percent of people who had gambled in the past year reported symptoms of problem gambling.

"…Social, problem and pathological gamblers differ in their ability to control themselves. While social gamblers have more control over the time and money they spend gambling, problem gamblers have less discipline, and pathological gamblers have little control over their gambling, said Ken Abrams, a clinical psychology professor at University of Richmond.

"…For many gamblers, the financial hurdles they must clear to get help are almost as difficult as the emotional ones.

"…Many gambling addicts have multiple addictions or disorders, Fahrenkopf stressed…"

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