Responsible Gambling Awareness GAMBLING HELP W.A. May 2015 Responsible Gambling Awareness

Overview What is Gambling & the Statistics Gambling Help - GHWA Services we provide Gambling behaviour & characteristics Reasons for such behaviour Overview of GH counselling Coordinated approach – therapeutic & financial The Referral Process

What is Gambling? Risking something of value for a potential return of even greater value. Gambling is everywhere: Stores/Casinos School TV - Ads Internet – Online Mobile Phone - Apps

Gambling in Australia 70 % Of Australians participated in some form of Gambling in the last year $19 billion per year spent on gambling Nationally $12 Billion was spent Nationally on Electronic Gaming Machines (EGM) Australia has 198,300EGMs highest in NSW 97,065 and Lowest in WA 1750 2 out of every 3 adult Australians gamble in some form each year EGMs account for around 75-80 % of problem gambling and are found to pose significant problems for consumers in general. 80% of those seeking treatment have problems with EGMs (Productivity Commission Report, 2010)

Gambling in Australia Productivity Commission (2010) estimates : There are 115,000 individuals with problem Gambling and 280,000 individuals who are at Moderate risk of gambling. Only 10 per cent of problem gamblers seek help - importance of screening and assessment by health professionals 5-10 others are negatively impacted by PG this includes families ,friends and employers Under age gambling is particularly common and of concern, with around 60 per cent of young people (13-17years) reporting gambling at least once per year.( Lambos et al.,2007)

Poker Machine Statistics One in six people who play the pokies regularly have problem gambling. Poker machine players are most likely to be young people 18-24 years old. Many adult who have problem gambling report having developed gambling problems between age of 11& 17 75 to 80 % of Problem gamblers in NSW ,S A, Victoria have problem with poker machines

GAMBLING HELP WA Established in 1995. Centrecare working in partnership with: Racing & Wagering WA Crown Casino Lotterywest The Department for Racing Gaming and Liquor The WA Bookmakers Association In 2013, Federal - Financial Management Program - Commonwealth Financial Counselling (CFC)

Gambling Help WA Face-to-face counselling Individual Couples Family Phone counselling (rural clients, clients with disabilities) 10 week Gambling Help workshop Reconnect group Financial counselling Education (public presentations, schools, rehabilitation centres, professionals, CALD groups)

Forms of Gambling Gaming: EGMs or Pokies, Casino table games e.g. Pokers, Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette ,sic Bo Wagering: racing (horses, dogs, Trots), Sports betting and betting on outcomes of events e.g. Election Lotteries : Lotto, Lotto strike ,Oz lotto, Powerball, Keno, Instant scratchies, Lottery Tickets

Predisposing Factors Chaotic childhood, high levels of conflict and unpredictability. Family history of gambling, AOD and overspending problems. Issues of mental health, grief, loss, trauma and abuse. Ambivalent relationship with money. Cultural factors. Mistaken beliefs about the odds of winning, a “big win” early. Competitive: Had attention/reinforcement for being a winner. Experienced ridicule or rejection for being a loser.

Internet Gambling and the Risk More Isolated: do not need to interact with others , or answer to questioning. Always Accessible: no restrictions of time, plus there are many sights. It is Cashless: real money is invisible. Anonymous: nobody knows who you are or what your age is. It is Faster: can form a “flow effect” where it is so fast and continuous, people don’t know how fast they are falling or how far into debt.

Co-morbidities Domestic violence Drug & alcohol Risk of crime Women were 10 times more likely to be a victim of intimate partner violence if their partner had problem gambling behaviour. 1 in 4 people in treatment have marriage problems as a result of PG Drug & alcohol People with problem gambling are three times more likely to be misusing alcohol. Risk of crime Australian survey , 50% of clients admitted to committing illegal acts to fund their gambling. The probability of committing a crime increased with the level of debt.

Co Morbidity Mental Health In Australia: 41% of people with problem gambling reported having suicidal ideation. 10% of people with problem gambling reported having attempted suicide. 400 reported suicide per annum are attributed to PG (Productivity Commission Reports, 1999 & 2010) In South Australia, Relationships Australia found higher levels of depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation among problem gambling clients than among counselling service clients. (Relationships Australia Submission, 1998)

Self- Exclusion Referral Links via Crown’s Responsible Gambling Team and RWWA Self-exclusion Crown TAB

Problem Gambling DEFINITION: “Is characterised by difficulties in limiting money and/or time spent on gambling which leads to adverse consequences for the gambler, others, or for the community.” (Gambling Research Australia, 2005)

Gambling Behaviour Continuum of Harm Non-Problem Gambling Problem Gambling No Gambling Casual Gambling Serious Social Gambling Harmful Involvement Pathological Gambling Gambling behaviour is highly variable The ways in which people are negatively impacted by gambling behaviour can vary significantly from person to person Problem gambling can be experienced without the compulsivity to gamble Pathological gambling is the most extreme form of problem gambling behaviour The majority of people who engage in gambling behaviour enjoy it as a recreational activity

The Cycle of Problem Gambling Desire to Escape Desire to Win Gamble Lose Win Chasing More Loss Feeling Bad No Money Secrecy Lies Denial Blame

Reason for Gambling: Excitement / Winning Fun Adrenalin Competition Feeling like a winner/special Social inclusion/acceptance/attention High levels of positive reinforcement associated with winning Fantasies of winning money, high disposable income, financial freedom

Reasons for Gambling: Escape / Avoidance Boredom Idle time Loneliness Financial problems Relationship problems Stress (work or family) Depression, anxiety or other mental health problems Grief and loss Difficulties with emotional regulation/impulse control Trauma/PTSD

Characteristics of Problem Gambling Spending more money or time on gambling than intended/preferred Difficulty in refraining from gambling Repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop/alter gambling levels Gambling to win back losses/inability to control the scope and frequency of gambling Discomfort/negative impact on one or more areas of personal life

Characteristics of Problem Gambling Gambling becomes a means of coping - to escape from problems/feelings, or to seek positive reinforcement through winning Lying or concealing gambling behaviour/gambling-related problems from family/friends/colleagues Gambling becomes first priority, increasingly occupied/consumed with gambling-related activity Using gambling as the means to try and get out of the ‘hole’ (financial/personal) initially created by gambling to begin with Committing illegal acts (stealing money/goods, fraud)

Impacts of Problem Gambling Job Loss Stress Suicide Absenteeism Work and Study Health & Well Being Poor Health Depression & Anxiety Poor Performance Impacts Financial Hardship Family Breakdown On others Financial Debts Neglect of Children Asset losses Loss of Friendships Bankruptcy Relationships Legal Family Estrangement Loan Shark Relationship Breakdown Domestic or other violence Theft Imprisonment

Stages of Change Change is Permanent Pre Contemplation Maintenance Relapse Action Determination Contemplation Pre Contemplation Change is Permanent Prochaska, Diclemente & Norcross (1992)

The experience of the Problem Gambler Stress/anxiety/depression over money lost, financial pressures/debts Motivation to ‘recover losses’ or ‘make things right’ through further gambling GUILT/SHAME (losing control, hurting self and others) Low self esteem (see ‘gambling self’ as ‘bad’) Isolation from family/friends through secrecy and dishonesty Loss of employment/family/friends Legal and financial problems/risks to personal safety Mental health impacts (anxiety/depression/suicidality)

Problem Gambling counselling A combination of personal counselling/therapy and psycho-education Psycho-education to provide the client with an framework/understanding of problem gambling Stages of change (problem behaviour), Cycle of problem gambling Personal counselling to help clients explore issues around their gambling behaviour Origins of gambling, functions of gambling , underlying issues (family of origin etc.) Strategic planning for moving forward Practical measures (financial management, self-bans, transparency with family/friends) Personal measures (motivation, determination, self-monitoring, self-regulation, mindfulness)

Has Gambling become a Problem Has Gambling become a Problem? Answering yes to one or more questions indicates PG and referral for further assessment

Referral Process Perth office 9325 6644 (or call to discuss first) Use External Referral Form Gambling Help WA (08) 9325 5133 Problem Gambling Helpline 1800 858 858 (24/7) www.gamblinghelponline.org.au

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