U.S. National Gambling Impact and Behavior Study Dean R. Gerstein AGRI Fifth Annual Conference The Banff Centre, April 21, 2006

Overview of the Gambling Impact & Behavior Study « U.S. National Gambling Impact Study Commission, 1997–99: commissioned an independent study of gambling behavior and impact by a research consortium « First national survey of gambling behavior and problems in a generation « Measured costs and benefits, but not a fully balanced analysis—focused on casinos, no CB ratios

Gambling Impact & Behavior Data « National telephone survey: 2,417 adults « Onsite random intercept survey: 530 adult patrons, 5 types of gaming facilities « Statistical time series study: socioeconomic trends in 100 places, half near recently opened casinos « Key informant telephone surveys of 10 places near recently opened casinos

New Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems (NODS) « New DSM-IV-based survey module developed to diagnose pathological gamblers « Field-tests yielded strong reliability, validity « Hierarchical taxonomy « Numerous publications from original authors and other studies « Accelerated screener has been developed

Taxonomy of Gamblers « Low-risk gambler: « Bet less than 5 times in life « OR never lost more than $100 « OR affirmed zero DSM-IV criteria « At-risk gambler: 1–2 criteria « Problem gambler: 3–4 criteria « Pathological gambler: 5+ criteria

Measures « Survey items and time series data (as available) measured: « Illegal activity, criminal history « Family issues over gambling « Mental disorders and treatment « Job loss, bankruptcy

Criminal Justice Variables

Interpersonal Variables

Mental Health Variables

Depression and Mania

Economic Variables

Adverse National Population Impact: Demographics « 2½ million adult pathological gamblers (1.2%), 3 million problem (1.5%) « 15 million at risk (8%), 148 million low-risk (74%), 29 million never gambled (15%). « Pathological, problem, at-risk rates higher among African Americans « Pathological rates lower for age 65+, college grads, wealthy (hh incomes >$100K) – but college grads more at-risk

National Impact: Two Other Highlights « Presence of a casino within 50 miles (versus 50 to 250 miles) is associated with roughly double the prevalence of problem and pathological gamblers « Pathological and problem gamblers are less than 3% of adults, account for roughly 15 percent of casino, lottery, and pari-mutuel receipts

National Adverse Impacts: Monetized Costs « Pathological and problem gamblers in the United States cost society approximately $5 billion per year and an additional $40 billion in lifetime costs for productivity reductions, social services, and creditor losses. « Note: these calculations do not capture intrafamilial costs of divorce and family disruption associated with problem or pathological gambling.

Community Impact of Casinos: Statistical Findings « In communities proximate to newly opened casinos: « Per capita bankruptcy, health indicators, violent crimes not significantly changed (nonviolent and minor crime rates could not be analyzed statistically). « Unemployment rates, welfare outlays, and unemployment insurance decline about one-seventh.

Community Impact of Casinos, continued « Construction, hospitality, transportation, recreation, and amusement earnings rise, but bar, restaurant, and general merchandise earnings fall « Race tracks are vulnerable to casino competition. « There appears to be more a shift in the types and locations of work than net improvement in local standards of living.

Community Impact of Casinos: Local perceptions « Community leaders widely perceive that the following increase: « Indebtedness « Youth crime, forgery and credit card theft « Domestic violence, child neglect « Problem gambling, and alcohol/drug offenses.

Lessons « Use multiple data collection and analytic strategies « Sharpen the tools « Advance by increments

For More Information « For the datasets, please visit: ABSTRACTS/02778.xml?format=SAMHDA For the comprehensive report, including findings, instruments, and methodology: To contact the presenter: