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Brochures

The Council has produced a series of publications in English and Spanish for dissemination to the public. These brochures describe the work of the Council, offer information about problem and compulsive gambling, identify support services and treatment options, and outline the affects of gambling addiction on individuals, family members, loved ones, teens, women and older consumers. Additionally, the Council disseminates literature prepared by local problem gambling treatment providers, Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon. To request brochures, please write to the New York Council on Problem Gambling or e-mail us at council@nyproblemgambling.org.

Gambling and Problem Gambling in New York

Adult Prevalence Study
 Adolescence Prevalence Study

Adolescence Symposium Finding & Conclusions

An important aspect of the Council's mission is to clearly identify and document the needs of the problem gambling community. The most recent prevalence study performed in the State of New York on the number of adult residents experiencing difficulty with problem and/or pathological gambling was conducted in 1996. To obtain a compete copy of Gambling and Problem Gambling in New York: A Ten Year Replication Survey, 1986 to 1996 write to the New York Council on Problem Gambling or e-mail us at council@nyprobelmgambling.org.

Gambling and Problem Gambling in New York:
A Ten Year Replication Survey, 1986 to 1996

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


This report presents the results of the second survey of gambling and problem gambling in the State of New York. The main purpose of this study was to examine changes in the prevalence of gambling-related problems among adults in New York in the last decade. The other main purpose of the study was to identify the types of gambling causing the greatest difficulties for the citizens of New York. A large sample of New York residents aged 18 and over (N=1,829) were interviewed in April, 1996 about the types of gambling they have tried, the amounts of money they spend on gambling, and about gambling-related difficulties. The information in this report will be valuable in the further development of services for problem gamblers in New York.

Findings:

·         In 1986, 84% of the respondents in New York acknowledged participating in one or more of 10 gambling activities. In 1996, 90% of the respondents acknowledged participating in one or more of 14 gambling activities. This is a statistically significant increase in the rate of lifetime gambling among New York citizens.

·         In 1996, lifetime participation was highest for lottery play, charitable gambling and casino gambling. From one-half to three-quarters of the respondents acknowledge they have done these types of gambling. About one-third of the respondents have wagered on non-casino card games, on horse races, dog races or other animal events, on bingo and on sports events.

·         Men in New York estimate that they spend twice as much on gambling as women while respondents between the ages of 21 and 29 estimate that they spend significantly more than either older respondents. Caucasian respondents in New York estimate that they spend more on gambling than non-Caucasian respondents and never married, separated and divorced respondents spend more than married respondents. Unemployed respondents spend slightly more than working respondents and both of these groups spend more than respondents who are retired, going to school or keeping house.

·         In New York in 1996, 4.7% (±0.97%) of the respondents scored as lifetime problem gamblers and 2.6% (±0.73%) of the respondents scored as lifetime probable pathological gamblers. In 1986, 2.8% of the respondents scored as lifetime problem gamblers and 1.4% scored as lifetime probable pathological gamblers. This is a statistically significant increase in the prevalence of lifetime problem and pathological gambling in New York.

·         In New York in 1996, 2.2% (±0.67%) of the respondents scored as current problem gamblers and 1.4% (±0.54%) of the respondents scored as current probable pathological gamblers. Information on current problem and pathological gambling was not collected in 1986.

·         The lifetime prevalence rate in New York in 1996 is higher than in any other state while the current prevalence rate in New York is higher than in any other state except Louisiana. The greatest difference between lifetime and current problem and pathological gamblers in New York is that current problem and pathological gamblers are just as likely to be women as men.

·         While there are 328,000 New York residents aged 18 and over who are currently experiencing difficulties related to their gambling, we estimate that 118,000 of these individuals are experiencing severe difficulties that could require treatment. Based on the proportion of problem and pathological gamblers in New York who express a desire for treatment, we estimate that 11,800 individuals might access such services if they were available.

·         Problem gamblers living outside the New York City region are more likely than problem gamblers living downstate to travel less than 15 miles to gamble and less likely to travel 60 or more miles to gamble. This suggests that problem gamblers outside New York City are more likely to wager on readily available types of gambling, such as the lottery, Quick Draw, local horse tracks, off-track-betting outlets and the casino at Turning Stone.

·         Female problem gamblers spend approximately two-thirds of the amount that male problem gamblers spend on gambling. Younger problem gamblers spend substantially more than older problem gamblers and Caucasian problem gamblers spend far more than non-Caucasian problem gamblers. While Caucasian problem gamblers spend the most on legal forms of gambling, including casinos and parimutuel wagering, non-Caucasian problem gamblers spend the most on illegal forms of gambling, such as illegal gambling machines and dice games.

·         There are significant differences in the age at which respondents started gambling by gender, age, ethnicity and marital status for both non-problem and problem gamblers in New York. Males, respondents under the age of 30, non-Caucasians and never married respondents report starting to gamble at significantly earlier ages than other respondents.

·         As predicted by the research literature, regular involvement with continuous forms of gambling and heavy gambling losses are the factors most closely associated with gambling-related difficulties in New York. Problem gamblers in New York are most likely to gamble weekly on lottery games, Quick Draw and sports. Problem gamblers spend the most substantial amounts on casinos, sports and parimutuel wagering. Problem gamblers are more likely than non-problem gamblers to spend six or more hours gambling at a time, to have lost $1,000 or more in a single day and to travel 60 or more miles in order to gamble. Problem gamblers are more likely than non-problem gamblers to use alcohol, tobacco and marijuana on a weekly basis, to typically have five or more drinks in a day and to have felt somewhat or very unhappy as well as depressed or anxious most of the time in the past 12 months.

·         There are significant differences among problem gamblers in their use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs. Male problem gamblers are more likely than female problem gamblers to use alcohol on a weekly basis and to have used illicit drugs in the past year. Problem gamblers aged 21 to 29 are more likely than other problem gamblers to use alcohol on a weekly basis while problem gamblers aged 18 to 20 are more likely than older problem gamblers to use marijuana on a weekly basis.

·         Comparison of the 1986 and 1996 studies shows significant increases in participation in lottery play and casino gambling. There are significant decreases in participation for bingo and wagering on dice games.

·         Problem gamblers in New York are increasingly likely to be Caucasian and unmarried and to have graduated from high school. Problem gamblers in 1996 are significantly more likely than problem gamblers in 1986 to have purchased lottery products. Wagering on card games and games of skill is higher among problem gamblers in 1996 than in 1986 while wagering on dice games and on horse or dog races is lower.

·         Research shows that the prevalence of problem gambling is higher in jurisdictions where legalized gambling has been available for longer periods of time and where the population is ethnically heterogeneous. The survey in New York has identified an increase in the prevalence of problem gambling that does not appear to be related to the introduction of one specific type of gambling but, rather, to the expansion of opportunities to gamble regionally.

·         Surveys in Louisiana and Iowa suggest that rapid increases in the availability of legalized gambling can add substantially to an underlying prevalence rate of problem gambling in the general population. This information merits attention as the State of New York considers the legalization of casino gambling.

Future Directions:

While New York pioneered funding for treatment services for problem gamblers, these services are reaching only a fraction of the thousands of New York residents with severe gambling-related difficulties. Given expected further increases in the prevalence of gambling-related difficulties in New York, it will be imperative to maintain, and expand, current services. Directions for the future include increased funding for research activities, for expanded treatment services, for the development of treatment alternatives and a gambling counselor certification program, development of education and prevention services, evaluation of the effectiveness of existing as well as newly established services and continued monitoring of gambling and problem gambling in the general population.


Gambling and Problem Gambling Among Adolescents in New York

The Council also completed its prevalence study on the adolescent population and issued its report in March 1998. To obtain a complete copy of Gambling and Problem Gambling Among Adolescents in New York write to the New York Council on Problem Gambling or e-mail us at council@nyproblemgambling.org.

Gambling and Problem Gambling Among Adolescents in New York

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


This report presents the results of the first survey of adolescent gambling and problem gambling in the State of New York. The main purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of gambling-related problems among adolescents in New York State. Another purpose of this study was to identify the types of gambling causing the greatest difficulties for adolescents in New York. A large sample of New York residents aged 13 to 17 (N=1,103) were interviewed between July and October, 1997, about the types of gambling they have tried, the amounts of money they spend on gambling and about gambling-related difficulties. The information in this report is intended to serve as a foundation in the development of prevention, education, outreach and treatment services for adolescents throughout the state with gambling-related difficulties.

FINDINGS

·         While participation in all forms of gambling is illegal for individuals under the age of 18 in New York State, 86% of the New York adolescent respondents said that they had bet on one or more types of gambling at some time, 75% had gambled in the past year and 15% had bet on one or more types of gambling on a weekly basis.

·         The favorite types of gambling among adolescents are wagering on card, dice or domino games, games of skill, sports events and the lottery. Lifetime gambling participation among adolescents is highest for raffles and charitable games and for card, dice or domino games. Lifetime participation is also substantial for wagering on the lottery, games of skill, sports events and bingo.

·         Despite restrictions on underage gambling in New York State, nearly one-third of the adolescent respondents have been able to purchase lottery tickets, 9% have been able to wager at horse or dog races, 6% have been able to participate in Quick Draw and 5% have been able to gamble at a casino. Despite their substantially lower income, adolescents in New York report spending approximately one-third as much, on average, as adults report spending on all types of gambling.

·         Adolescent males are more likely than females to gamble, particularly on a regular basis. Adolescents aged 16 and 17 are more likely to gamble than younger adolescents and Caucasian adolescents are more likely than minority adolescents to gamble. Gambling involvement is strongly associated with adolescent employment and income. Adolescents who work 10 or more hours per week and those who earn $50 or more per week are significantly more likely to gamble than adolescents who work fewer hours and/or earn less money.

·         New York adolescents who have gambled are most likely to have started gambling with friends or parents. Another quarter of these adolescents started gambling with another family member, including siblings, grandparents and other relatives. Adolescents are most likely to have started gambling on card, dice or domino games or on raffles and charitable games.

·         There is concern that lottery gambling may be an experience that encourages young people to engage in other, less broadly sanctioned types of gambling as well as in other risk-taking behaviors, such as illicit drug use. A significant increase in lottery play by age was identified among New York adolescents. While 20% of 13-year-olds in the sample have purchased lottery products in the past year, 36% of 17-year-olds have done so. The increase in lottery play is correlated with increases in other types of gambling and in the use of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana.

·         In New York, 2.4% (±1.09%) of the total sample of adolescent respondents were classified as problem gamblers, the most serious classification of gambling-related difficulties among youth. Another 14.0% (±2.05%) of the total sample of adolescent respondents were classified as gamblers at risk for developing gambling problems.

·         Based on the prevalence rates, it is estimated that there are between 15,400 and 41,000 adolescents in New York who have experienced severe problems with their gambling and between 135,000 and 193,000 whose gambling involvement has caused them difficulties in the past or, more likely, places them at risk for developing gambling-related difficulties in the future.

·         Based on gambling involvement, gambling expenditures and prevalence rates, wagering on sports events, games of skill and on the lottery are the types of gambling most closely associated with gambling difficulties among New York adolescents.

·         At-risk and problem gamblers are more likely to have parents who gamble than adolescents who gamble without problems. At-risk gamblers are more likely than either non-problem or problem gamblers to work 10 or more hours per week.

·         Problem gamblers are more likely than at-risk or non-problem gamblers to have ever participated in most types of gambling with two exceptions: wagering on bingo and horse or dog races. At-risk gamblers are more likely than problem gamblers to wager weekly on charitable games, card, dice or domino games and on sports events. Problem gamblers are more likely than at-risk gamblers to wager weekly on the lottery and on arcade or video games.

·         Adolescent problem gamblers in New York spend more money in a typical month than at-risk or non-problem gamblers on sports events, at casinos, on gaming machines and on Quick Draw. Both at-risk and problem gamblers in New York spend more money in a typical month than non-problem gamblers on games of skill and on pulltabs.

·         At-risk and problem gamblers are most likely to gamble with friends and acquaintances while non-problem gamblers are most likely to gamble with family members. At-risk and problem gamblers spend more time gambling and are more likely to have ever lost $50 or more in a single gambling session than non-problem gamblers.

·         Problem gamblers are the most likely group to have started gambling with friends and to say that they gamble for excitement and to win money. Problem gamblers are also more likely than other adolescents who gamble to have borrowed money to gamble and to admit that they have not paid back money they have borrowed. Problem gamblers are more likely than other adolescents who gamble to have borrowed from family members and the household, to have stolen others' property and to have sold personal property to get money to gamble or to pay gambling debts.

·         Problem gamblers are more likely than other adolescents who gamble to have problems with family members or friends due to gambling and to have had trouble at school or work due to their gambling. Problem gamblers are more likely than at-risk or non-problem gamblers to have shoplifted, sold drugs and engaged in other illegal activities to get money to gamble or to pay gambling debts.

·         Gambling involvement among adolescents in New York is correlated with alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use. Weekly gamblers are more likely than less frequent gamblers to have ever tried alcohol, tobacco and marijuana and to have gotten into trouble in the past year because of their alcohol or drug use.

·         Gambling problems among adolescents in New York are also correlated with alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use. At-risk and problem gamblers are more likely than non-problem gamblers to have used alcohol, tobacco and marijuana and to have gotten into trouble in the past year because of their use of alcohol or drugs.

·         While adolescents in New York are less likely than older individuals to have ever tried most types of gambling, they are just as likely to have ever wagered on card, dice or domino games, bingo, gambling machines not at casinos and sports events.

·         The methods used to classify adolescents and adults as problem or pathological gamblers are not identical. However, while adolescents represent approximately 7% of the total population of New York State, they represent approximately 11% of all New York residents who are experiencing severe difficulties related to their gambling.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

In making decisions about implementing services for adolescent gamblers and their families in New York, policy makers may wish to give consideration to developing a variety of services and activities. First and foremost, consideration must be given to establishing a dedicated fund to provide for problem gambling prevention, outreach and treatment programs for adolescents and adults in New York State. Other activities include funding a statewide prevention program targeting at-risk adolescents and adults in New York State; developing public education and prevention services targeted toward at-risk groups among youth; and implementing educational curricula under development by the New York Council on Problem Gambling in cooperation with the State Education Department.

Efforts could also include cooperative endeavors between government and gambling operators to discourage and minimize underage gambling in New York; establishing a Problem Gambling Awareness Week dedicated to increasing public awareness of gambling-related problems throughout New York State; encouraging parents and adults to be attentive to the types of games they are purchasing for children and/or the types of gambling activities they may be engaging in with underage persons; increasing awareness of gambling-related difficulties among toy and child product manufacturers; and providing training for educators, law enforcement, criminal justice, mental health and substance abuse professionals and others who work with troubled adolescents.

Policy makers may also wish to give consideration to evaluating services established for adolescent problem gamblers; monitoring gambling and problem gambling prevalence over time; and funding additional research on adolescent gambling problems among under-served and minority groups in the state.

 

Adolescent Gambling in New York
 

The New York Council on Problem Gambling held an adolescent gambling symposium on December 1, 2005 in Albany, New York and issued its report in March 2006. To obtain a complete copy of the Adolescent Gambling Symposium report, write to the New York Council on Problem Gambling or e-mail us at council@nyproblemgambling.org.

Adolescent Gambling in New York

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report presents the recommendations of the first adolescent gambling symposium in the State of New York. The symposium meeting included nearly 50 participants from throughout the state. Invited parents, educators, community leaders, state agencies and clinicians, focused on establishing educational, prevention, policy and research priorities to address adolescent problem gambling and provided the insight, energy and professional experience to address the issue of adolescent gambling in New York.

NEW YORK COUNCIL ON PROBLEM GAMBLING RECOMMENDATIONS

(These recommendations are the sole opinion of the New York Council on Problem Gambling and do not reflect the opinions of the participants who attended the Adolescent Gambling Symposium)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

In gathering top experts in various fields related to adolescent gambling, this symposium has helped us measure the proliferation of adolescent gambling in New York and the potential for problem gambling by adolescents in the future, as, as well as broaden our perspective of the statewide issue. Most experts think that the progression of adolescent gambling has taken a turn for the worse. Adolescent gambling is the norm, and to reverse the norm, successful prevention strategies that were used to combat adolescent alcohol and cigarette use must be utilized and implemented throughout the state. Prevention, education and treatment have been proven to work. If this is not done, adolescent gambling will surely continue.

This Symposium provided a benchmark for future assessments of gambling and problem gambling among adolescents in New York.  The report provides a foundation for policy making and planning for problem gambling prevention, education, research and treatment services for adolescents.  Consideration must now be given to educate New York adolescents about the risks of gambling, to provide problem gambling prevention services, to offer problem gambling treatment services, and to ensure that adequate and continuing problem gambling funds for such efforts are made available.

 


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