Lets Talk About Gambling

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Lets Talk About Gambling

• What is the history of gambling in the United
  States and Oregon?
• How big is gambling?
• What are types of lawful or charitable gambling?
• Define common gambling terms.
• What are the positive and negative effects of
  gambling in Oregon and in local communities?
• What are signs of compulsive gambling behavior?
• How does participation in gambling activities
  relate to family situations?
• To gamble or not to gamble, that is the question?

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The History of Gambling

• Gambling has been around a long time. Our modern
  dice and playing cards can be traced back to
  primitive people who
• cast bones or sticks into the air.
• Two of the primary forms of gambling throughout
  history have been racing and lotteries. 
• Horse racing has its roots in the chariot
• races of Rome.
• The first state run lottery took place in Genoa,
• in 1515 or about the time Martin Luther was
  protesting the churchs sins.
• Horse racing in America began in New York in
  1665.

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Lawful Gambling

• In 1984, Oregon voters authorize a state-run
  lottery. Scratch off tickets were introduced in
  1985.
• In 1989, Oregon becomes the only state to offer
  sports betting with the Sports Action Lottery.
• In 1991, Oregon becomes the first state to offer
  Keno games every five minutes.
• In 1992, Video Lottery is legalized. Net
  revenues as of 2001 were over 3 Billion dollars.
• In 1994, the first Native American casino opens
  in Oregon.
• In 2003, Monday Night Football scratch off
• tickets are offered.

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Minimum Ages to Gamble

• 18 years old - Charitable bingo and pull tabs,
  pari-mutel betting (e.g. race track).
• Also 18 years old Lottery, bingo and blackjack.
• 21 years old Video lottery and
• tribal casinos.

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Gambling Myths

• Myth Problem gambling is easy to recognize.
• Reality Problem gambling has been called the
  hidden addiction. Gambling is easy to hide.
  Many problem gamblers often engage in
  self-denial.

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Other Gambling Myths

• Myth Id have to gamble every day to be a
  problem gambler.
• Reality If gambling causes a person
  psycho- logical, financial, emotional, marital,
  legal or other difficulties then they have a
  problem.
• Myth Gambling isnt a problem if you can afford
  it.
• Reality Problems caused by excessive gambling
  arent just financial.
• It can lead to relationship
• breakdown and loss of important friendships.

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More Myths . . .

• Myth All problem gamblers are irresponsible.
• Reality Many problem gamblers hold, or have held
  responsible community positions. In addition,
  even people with a long history of responsible
  behavior are vulnerable to developing a gambling
  problem.
• Myth People my age are not affected by problem
  gambling.
• Reality About 10 to 15 percent of American youth
  have experienced gambling related problems.
  Children of problem gamblers are at higher risk
  of developing health threatening behaviors.

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Definition of Gambling

• Websters defines gambling as
• A. To bet on an uncertain outcome,
• as of contest. B. To play a game of chance.
• To take a chance speculate. 3. To
• expose to risk venture.
• Problem gambling is defined as Gambling
  behavior which causes disruptions in any major
  area of life psychological, physical, social or
  vocational. (National Council on Problem
  Gambling)

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Gambling In Oregon

• More than 60,000 Oregon adults are believed to
  meet the criteria of a problem gambler.
• One in every 25 Oregon teens is a problem gambler
  thats more than 10,000 Oregon teens!
• One in 10 teens is an at-risk gambler (he or
  she may be moving towards a
• gambling problem).
• Two-thirds of teens gamble at
• least once a year.

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Gambling History inthe United States

• Lotteries were used to pay war debts and build
  public works. They were used in Jamestown as
  early as 1612 and helped raise the Colonial Army
  in 1775.
• Ivy league colleges were built with the help of
  lottery dollars.
• George Washington personally signed batches of
  lottery tickets.
• Eventually, scandal, bribery of legislators and
  corruption led to constitutional prohibitions in
  36 states.

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Gambling Historyin Oregon

• In Oregon, the current gambling cycle began in
  1933. The Oregon Racing Commission was
  established, and monitored greyhound racing in
  the state.
• Oregon is currently among states with the top
  gambling revenues, and is a leader in types and
  availability of gambling.

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What Problem Gamblers Had to Say in 2002

• 10 considered committing suicide.
• 24 reported their gambling cost them a marriage
  or significant relationship.
• 15 lost their jobs due to gambling.
• 40 committed crimes to finance their gambling.

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Spending Habits

• In 2004, Oregonians spent 1.277 billion on all
  forms of gambling, equaling 357 per capita. (ECO
  Northwest, 2006)
• During fiscal year 2006, Lottery sales in Oregon
  were 1.1 billion. (Oregon Lottery, 2006)
• Consumers spend more on legal gaming in the
  United States than most other forms of
  entertainment combined. (1998 Gross Annual Wager
  Report, 1999)

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To Gamble or Not To Gamble

• Positive Effects
• Casinos provide employment and increased income
  for Native Americans.
• Gaming is recreation.
• Gaming provides social activities.
• Money generated in Oregon helps fund education
  and other community programs.

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To Gamble or Not to Gamble

• Negative Effects
• Gambling takes time and money away from family.
• Loss of trust.
• Need for leads to debt, theft, fraud, etc.
• Addictive
• Work or school may suffer due to gambling.
• Children feel neglected due to parents gambling.

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Gambling Words Decoded

• Casino

A gambling facility that normally includes some
combination of slot machines, video games, card
games and other games.
Charitable Gaming or Lawful Gaming
Games run by non-profit groups under state
regulation, such as tabs, bingo and raffles.
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More Decoded Words

• Compulsive
• Or Addictive
• Gambling

The inability to resist impulses to gamble,
resulting in damage to ones personal life,
family or job.
Craps
The most popular dice game in the world.
Keno
A game in which players pick numbers out of a
grid and can choose their own odds and payoff.
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A Few More Words . . .

• Lotto

A form of lottery. Jackpots are very large,
often pooled across states, and increase daily
until winning numbers are drawn.
Video Lottery Terminal
Electronic games played on a video screen,
typically poker, keno, blackjack or slots.
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Getting Help in Jackson County

• Treatment is free for gamblers and loved ones!
• You can speak to your counselor or teacher for
  more information.
• Local Treatment Providers
• Addictions Recovery Center
• On Track
• 1-877-2-STOP-NOW
• Helpline, available 24 hrs, everyday