GAMBLING ADDICTION & THE LAW

Goals for this presentation

Understand that gambling can become an addiction

Understand relationship of problem gambling to fraud/embezzlement/other legal issues

Become familiarize with resources to address problem gambling

Learn about gambling court models and resources

Gambling addicts, like other addicts, commit crime to support their addiction

Former assistant manager, First American Title Insurance of Portland, embezzled $800,000 between 2001-05, sentenced to 15 months federal prison.

Embezzler’s sentenced: 8 years

West Linn- During

sentencing for stealing $1.4 million, the city’s former finance chief talks of “terrible shame”

City bond rating damaged

More Stories of Gambling Related Embezzlement

Aloha woman, stole more than $900,000 from her employer, US Bank, sentenced to 27 months.

Washington County woman, embezzled $275,000 from EasyStreet Online Services, sentenced to state prison.

Why is Gambling Related Crime a Growing Concern?

Because as gambling proliferates, problem gambling also becomes a growing concern

Gambling in Oregon is Growing

Oregon is among top 5 states in the US for gambling opportunities!

All nine tribes have casinos

Lottery retailers are everywhere; Lottery electronic machines are the most often reported game among those in treatment

Spirit Mt. Casino has replaced Multnomah Falls as our #1 tourist attraction

Societal Acceptance = More Gamblers

Industry perpetuates a vision of gambling as entertaining, glamorous and as a means of achieving financial freedom.

More Gambling …. More Gamblers … More Problem Gamblers

Prevalence of gambling disorders

is a function of the overall level of gambling participation

The More Problem Gamblers, the More Gambling Related Crimes

Moore (2009). Slightly more than one third (31%) of those entering

gambling treatment in Oregon reported committing an illegal act related to their gambling.

National Gambling Impact Study Commission (1999). A third of problem and pathological gamblers had been

arrested, compared to 10% of low-risk gamblers and 4% of non-gamblers

Gambling in Lincoln County

Casino in the county and two more less than an hour away

----- Lottery retailers and $---- in sales in Lincoln County

Lottery video poker is the no. 1 game among those seeking pg treatment

Sandy4th grade teacher

PamFormer Credit Union VP(incarcerated for embezzlement)

WarrenCornell University Economics Degree

But problem gamblers are not

your “typical” criminals

• often high functioning and bright• usually employed•enter treatment later• easier to hide: no obvious physical signs of addiction, nor physical limitations to the process (i.e. don’t OD from too much gambling )

Jane Grandmastole 250K to gamble

Source: National Council on Problem Gambling voices of recovery http://www.ncpgambling.org/

and gambling is not your typical addiction….or is it???

Not typical because not on the radar screen of most of us, not well understood, not routinely screened for, feds spend $0 on it

Typical because it changes your brain in the same way cocaine use does, you experience highs and withdrawals, you can “black out”, you lose the ability to control the behavior, desperation occurs, devastates family

Problem gambling defined

“All patterns of gambling behavior that compromise, disrupt, or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits.”

Synonymous with “compulsive”, “addicted”, “clinical”, “diagnosable” and “Level 3”

DSM diagnostic criteria is similar to Substance Abuse/Dependence

Continuum of gambling behavior

No Gambling

Experimentation Social At-Risk Problem Pathological

Level 1 Level 2

Level 3

Indicators of problem gambling

Increase in gambling time and places Increase in size of bets Working up special occasions for

gambling Intensity of interest in gambling Boasting wins; evading loses

More Indicators

Gambling when there is a crisis

Drop off in other activities/interests

Frequent absences from school, work and home

Withdrawal from family

Personality changes(irritability/hostility)

Use funds that should go to other purposes

Gambling and other addictions

Highly correlated with substance use and abuse and drug use

High relapse and crossover addiction potential if not addressed in treatment

Suicide rates higher than other addictions

DUII clients, drug court clients, incarcerated persons, youth detention facilities

3 question screen is valid

This is your brain on gambling

Dr. Timothy Fong of UCLA compared the brain functions of compulsive gamblers and meth addicts.

Both groups display similar impairments to the part of the brain where the orbital frontal cortex resides.

“In other words”, says Fong, “for both compulsive gamblers and meth addicts, the brakes are gone.”

Gambling-related consequences among those in treatment (Oregon)

Average gambling debt: $29,000 37 percent reported alcohol related

problems More than 30 percent reported

committing illegal acts to obtain gambling money

More than 48 percent had suicidal thoughts and 9 percent reported a suicide attempt

Insert county pg treatment data here

Available fromhttp://www.oregon.gov/OHA/addiction/gambling.shtml#r-d

scroll down to:2011 Oregon Problem Gambling Services Data Book

Full version 

Resources

Insert county pg prevention data here

Available from http://www.oregon.gov/OHA/addiction/gambling.shtml#r-d

scroll down to:2011 Oregon Problem Gambling Services Data Book

Full version 

…that’s more than1 per classroom, yet it’s not adequately addressed in schools, at home or in the community

In Oregon, already 1 in 251 in 25 youth is a problem gamblerproblem gambler

Problem gambling is important to infuse into prevention efforts

Oregon youth who gamble are at much higher risk for other problems...it is not harmless recreation, as most believe

Treatment in Oregon: it’s free, confidential and it works

Continuum of CareHelpline : 24/7 phone, email, chat, instant message staffed by certified pg counselors

1-877-mylimit or 1877mylimit.org

outpatient treatment centers staffed by specially trained counselors

residential treatment program

Problem Gambling Treatment is Specialized

Addiction treatment PLUS Gambler’s fallacy/dream world/false

beliefs Financial intervention and

accountability Co-occurring disorders and suicide Family involvement (treatment is also

free for family with or without the gambler)

Recovery Support

Gamblers Anonymous: 12-step organization for problem gamblers

Gam-Anon: For family members Current list of meetings: call 1-877-mylimit or go to 1877mylimit.org

Legal/Judicial Interventions

Options: video and handouts www.gamblingcourt.org http://www.gamblingcourt.org/videoFarrell.php

Conclusions

Problem gambling is a real addiction and growing concern

The legal system is a key partner for identifying problem gamblers, getting them treatment and holding them accountable

Effective, specialized resources are available yet underutilized