Problem Gambling and Public Policy

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Problem Gambling and Public Policy

• September 24, 2002
• Keith Whyte, Executive Director
• National Council on Problem Gambling

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About NCPG

• NEUTRAL on gambling.
• 30th Anniversary of our foundation in New York
  City in 1972.
• Now HQ in Washington, D.C.
• Affiliate chapters in 32 states (incl. RI).
• Largest oldest grassroots network in world on
  gambling issues.

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NCPG Mission Statement
The mission of the National Council on Problem
Gambling is to increase public awareness of
pathological gambling, ensure the widespread
availability of treatment for problem gamblers
and their families, and to encourage research and
programs for prevention and education
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Outline

• Endorse and support testimony and recommendations
  by Drs. Broffman, Lesieur Volberg.
• Who is Responsible for Responsible Gaming?
• Towards a Policy PETER

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National Picture

• 85 of Americans gamble in their lifetime, 65 in
  past year.
• Past year adult 1 pathological, 2-3 problem.
• 30 years of research shows that pathological
  gambling is real and robust disorder, more
  research always needed.
• Significant public policy issue.

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A Changing Picture

• Since 1975, the proportion of adults who never
  gambled dropped from 1 in 3 to 1 in 7.
• 85 of US adults have gambled at least once in
  their lives, 65 in past year.
• 47 States with some form of legalized gambling.
• What are the 3 without?

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National Spending

• In 1998 all identifible spending on problem
  gambling services nationwide was 1/10 of 1 of
  legal gaming revenue.
• RI 150K for gambling treatment is .026 of total
  gambling revenue
• Demonstrates failure to date of government,
  industry and public to seriously address this
  issue.

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Why is Problem Gambling a Public Policy Issue?

• Government duty of care to citizens
• Provider duty of care and liability
• Mental health/disease model
• Enforcement issue for minors
• Special populations (seniors, racial ethnic
  minorities

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Underage Gambling
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Who is Responsible for Responsible Gaming?

• State Tribal Government Protects the health
  and welfare of their citizens, regardless if the
  particular jurisdiction legalized, regulated or
  received revenue from gambling.
• Gaming Industry Operates service addictive for
  percentage of consumers.

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Responsibility

• Consumers Should understand the odds, have
  realistic expectations, know the warning signs
  and where to get help.
• Advocates We bring together government,
  industry, consumers problem gambling experts to
  provide solutions.

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Responsibility

• Gambling Providers whether state or tribal
  government, or private corporations, have an
  obligation to address problem gambling.
• RG program should be a condition of licensure,
  public statistics should be maintained, and
  should be periodically reviewed.

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Policy Considerations

• Most jurisdictions without strategy for gambling.
  
• No consistent regulatory authority.
• No periodic review of licenses.
• Virtually no jurisdictions with comprehensive
  strategy for problem gambling.

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Needs Assessment

• Needs assessment.
• Set benchmarks, standards and best practices.
• Measurement.
• Evaluation by public/private partnership.

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State Funded Gambling Treatment Programs-2001
Think Tank

• More research needed on basic nature of gambling
  disorders
• Individualized services
• Payment issues for clients
• Focus on public health
• Financial support for programs

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Towards a Comprehensive Strategy PETER

• Prevention
• Education
• Treatment
• Enforcement
• Research

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Prevention

• Primary prevention must PRECEDE onset of
  gambling--5th grade.
• Gambling precedes onset of other risky behavior
  smoking, drugs, alcohol, sex, may be gateway
  behavior.

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Education

• Implicit harm reduction approach, given 85
  gamble.
• Responsible gaming strategies if individuals
  choose to gamble.
• Education that problem gambling is a real
  disorder, and help is available.
• Helpline promotion, most common link between
  Education and Treatment.

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Treatment

• Must include continuum of care--brief
  intervention, outpatient, residential,
  inpatient.
• State is provider of last resort?
• Screening for PG in MH/SA programs.
• Certification of health care providers.

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Enforcement

• 30 of adolescents (12-17) have bought a lottery
  ticket in the past year.
• Sports gambling--not a victimless crime.
• Gray market video poker amusement with prizes
  (AWP).
• Internet gambling.
• Charitable gaming.

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Research

• Links together all previous sections.
• Outcome evaluation.
• Determine best practices.
• Includes survey research, longitudinal cohort,
  natural studies.
• Guides current future efforts.

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Responsible Gaming

• Any strategy, policy or program instituted by a
  gaming company to proactively address problem
  gambling and/or underage gambling issues. AGA
  RGRG 1996
• 2 Major Areas
• Problem gambling
• Underage gambling

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3 Areas of Action

• Mission statement Institutionalizes a commitment
  to responsible gaming within the organization.
• Authority Someone within organization has job
  responsibility to coordinate responsible gaming
  efforts.
• Plan In order to be effective, responsible
  gaming efforts must be planned. Ad-hoc is always
  cost more and is less effective.

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Employees

• Higher rates of PG
• Loss prevention issues
• Retention
• Morale
• Smallest circle, industry has direct influence

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Customers

• Customer service
• Direct interaction with industry
• Range from regular/frequent players to one-time
  visitors

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Community

• Public Perception
• Includes broad-based efforts
• Prevention
• Education
• Public Awareness of Available help

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Special Populations

• Underage
• Intoxicated/Impaired Patrons
• Seniors
• Other Special Populations
• If you have a targeted marketing campaign or
  specific services, then you should have a
  corresponding responsible gaming program

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Responsible Gaming Minimum Standards for Gaming
OperationsAdapted from Dr. Carl Braunlich,
Purdue UniversityAt a minimum, every gambling
operator should undertake the following steps

• All employees receive a brochure describing
  problem gambling behaviors and where to find help
  for a gambling addiction.

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• Problem gambling awareness signage is posted
  throughout.
• The company implements communication programs to
  ensure high levels of employee awareness of
  problem gambling, underage gambling prevention,
  and unattended minors issues.
• A brochure describing problem gambling behaviors
  and where to find help for a gambling addiction
  is available to customers. When asked, gaming
  floor employees know where to obtain a copy of
  this brochure.

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• Gaming floor employees receive an annual
  refresher training session covering the topics of
  problem gambling, underage gambling prevention,
  and unattended minors.
• The companys employee assistance program covers
  problem gambling and is staffed with counselors
  trained in the diagnosis of gambling addictions.
• The company implements communication programs to
  ensure high levels of employee awareness of
  problem gambling, underage gambling prevention,
  and unattended minors issues.

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• The company provides financial support to the
  state affiliate of the National Council on
  Problem Gambling for each state in which the
  company operates.
• The company has a self-restriction program in
  place. Upon request by a customer, all cash
  checking, credit and slot club privileges are
  revoked, and the customers name is removed from
  all direct marketing mailing lists or other
  databases used for promotional purposes.

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Next Steps You Dont Have to Reinvent the Wheel

• Work with National local councils Since 1972
  we have been advising with Federal, state, tribal
  local governments on this issue.
• Opportunity to bring all stakeholders together to
  make Rhode Island a leader in responsible gaming
  policy.

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National Council on Problem Gambling208 G
Street, NE 2nd FloorWashington, DC 20002Tel
202.547.9204Fax [phone]Email
keithw_at_ncpgambling.orgWeb www.ncpgambling.org