Education is Needed for Problem Gambling Prevention
Preventing problem gambling is all about education. Too many players don’t understand the rules or the math, which always gives the edge to the house. Knowing the facts may help prevent players from putting themselves at risk. Felicia Grondin, the former executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, explains why a gambling disorder can be short-circuited with education.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines “responsibility” as one’s duty to perform, blame for something that has occurred or by utilizing good judgement. Since gambling is a self-regulated activity, responsibility falls upon those who wager, while a duty of care is also expected of regulators and casino operators. Hence, the creation of industry supported responsible gambling practices and programs.
The first corporate responsible gaming (RG) initiative in the United States was launched in the mid-1990s by Harrah’s Entertainment (now Caesars Entertainment) to help prevent individuals from wagering more than they can afford and to avoid problem gambling. The program provided internal employee training and a “customer safety” responsible gaming program.
Over the years, RG programs grew to include tools to help patrons gamble sensibly by encouraging time and financial limits, establishing a budget to wager (i.e., how much money one can afford to lose and sticking to it) in addition to registering for self-exclusion for those who want to be restricted from gambling. The RG message stresses the importance of viewing gambling as entertainment, encourages players to resist the urge to recoup losses and to avoid gambling while under the influence. These principles are promoted by the industry via online marketing initiatives and pop-up messages during online play. They encourage players not to gamble to make money and to adhere to dollar and time limits, among others.
Risk Vs. Reward
Gamblers may be aware that they may lose money, but they blindly enter the activity without knowing the risk of potentially developing a problem with life altering consequences. To wager responsibly, players should recognize the risks, but their judgement may be affected by advertisements with enticements to play that offer an escape from day-to-day responsibilities. Is it logical to expect players to bet responsibly when they are unaware of the risk of developing an addiction? Without education, players are unaware that they are engaging in a highly addictive activity that can result in life altering circumstances.
Gambling disorder is very different from other addictions. While some aspects are like drug and alcohol dependency, gambling can have a greater stronghold since it triggers dopamine release in the brain’s reward system which, in most cases, is difficult to recognize. The dopamine surge can lead to a cycle where individuals seek to place more wagers. When the dopamine rush fades, it can cause psychological distress that is relieved by engaging in more of the activity. Encouragements to keep playing include push notifications (i.e., to “play another game”), free plays and other enticements to continue online activity contribute to the cycle. Sadly, most are unaware that overuse can morph into a serious addiction.
Losing Control
The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that 1 percent of the general US adult (18+) population, over 2 million people, experience a gambling disorder every year; another 4-6 million (2- 3 percent) are considered to have mild or moderate gambling problems. And these figures only constitute reported cases.
While alcohol and drug dependencies reveal physical signs, gambling addiction does not. It is one that is hidden, making it challenging to address. This, coupled with the ability to gamble anywhere at any time, and the stigma of being too ashamed to seek help, can enable problem gambling to exist for months or years resulting in bankruptcy, shattered relationships and careers.
Regulatory agencies encourage related training for industry employees to recognize related behavior and intervene, by monitoring how long and how much a person has gambled, and when wagering indicates a loss of control.
Given the popularity of online gambling, technology has also assumed a critical role in RG. Over the last few years, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) began to use algorithms—data gambling companies rely upon to develop their marketing strategies—to detect when a person begins to lose control of his or her betting. While these efforts are helpful, responsibility still falls on the player.
The Responsible Online Gaming Association (ROGA) conducted a study revealing that:
• Over 70 percent of players report setting personal limits before they play, yet few connect those intentions to the tools.
• Nearly half of non-players believe responsible gaming tools are only for individuals with gambling problems.
• Over 30 percent of participants in the study were unaware of responsible gaming tools or did not know how to use them.
Tools for Recovery
While RG efforts are well intended and commendable, utilizing RG tools and guidelines are left to the individual to practice. But how can one know the importance of RG without knowing the degree of risk of developing this addiction?
It is apparent that public awareness and gambling disorder education is greatly needed, especially due to its social acceptance, easy access and excessive advertising.
Players have a duty to learn, but related information must be provided in order for them to do so. Regulators and the industry also have a duty of care. While current initiatives are a step in the right direction, it is paramount for the public to be educated about the highly addictive nature of gambling.
Much like the smoking, drug and alcohol campaigns of years past, gambling addiction campaigns are greatly needed, in addition to including related harms in school curriculums. Online warning labels and signs at brick-and-mortar casinos would be helpful, as well as including a brief message in radio and television advertisements: “Gambling can become seriously addictive. Play responsibly.” These efforts would help to educate potential players, hopefully increase the use of RG practices and reduce patrons’ unsuspecting vulnerability every time a bet is placed.
Felicia Grondin is the former executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, and also served as legislative liaison of the NJ Casino Control Commission and associate director of Stockton University’s Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality & Tourism.
