Rolling the Big Dice UK Policy on Gambling and Gaming P. R. Yates, Senior Research Fellow, Scottish Addiction Studies, Department of Applied Social Science, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland. url:

Content Features of problem gambling Features of problem gambling The relationship to other addictions The relationship to other addictions Developing a theory of problem gambling Developing a theory of problem gambling Current UK developments Current UK developments

Gambling – Features (APA) “persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behaviour” characterized by an inability to control gambling, leading to significant deleterious psychosocial consequences: personal, familial, financial, professional and legal. (APA 1994).

Gambling – Features (DSMIV) needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement gambles to escape problems or relieve dysphoric mood gambles to escape problems or relieve dysphoric mood after losing money, often returns another day to get even (‘chasing’) after losing money, often returns another day to get even (‘chasing’) lies to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling lies to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling relies on others’ money to relieve a desperate financial situation relies on others’ money to relieve a desperate financial situation is restless or irritable when cutting down or stopping gambling is restless or irritable when cutting down or stopping gambling jeopardized or lost relationship, job, or career opportunity jeopardized or lost relationship, job, or career opportunity has committed illegal acts to finance gambling has committed illegal acts to finance gambling

Gambling – Features (Biology) Studies show: Elevated levels of beta-endorphin which peaks during gambling activity Elevated levels of beta-endorphin which peaks during gambling activity Hypoactive serotonin system – low levels of serotonin are consistent with high levels of impulsivity Hypoactive serotonin system – low levels of serotonin are consistent with high levels of impulsivity

Gambling – An addiction? Some similarities indicated by co-morbidity Some similarities indicated by co-morbidity 70% also have alcohol problems 70% also have alcohol problems 36% have problems with illicit drugs 36% have problems with illicit drugs Gamblers report increased tension or excitement immediately prior to the event Gamblers report increased tension or excitement immediately prior to the event Gamblers report a release of tension after the event Gamblers report a release of tension after the event But persistent differences remain But persistent differences remain

Gambling - Theories addictions (Jacobs 1986; Blume 1987), addictions (Jacobs 1986; Blume 1987), psychodynamic (Bergler 1958; Rosenthal 1992; Wildman 1997), psychodynamic (Bergler 1958; Rosenthal 1992; Wildman 1997), psychobiological (Blaszczynski et al. 1986; Carlton & Goldstein 1987; Lesieur & Rosenthal 1991; Rugle 1993; Comings et al. 1996), psychobiological (Blaszczynski et al. 1986; Carlton & Goldstein 1987; Lesieur & Rosenthal 1991; Rugle 1993; Comings et al. 1996), behavioural (Anderson & Brown 1984; McConaghy et al. 1983), behavioural (Anderson & Brown 1984; McConaghy et al. 1983), cognitive (Sharpe & Tarrier 1993; Ladouceur & Walker 1996) cognitive (Sharpe & Tarrier 1993; Ladouceur & Walker 1996) sociological (Rosecrance 1985; Ocean & Smith 1993) sociological (Rosecrance 1985; Ocean & Smith 1993)

Theory – Model - Diagnosis Consensus around “drug, set and setting” Consensus around “drug, set and setting” Diagnosis by symptom (DSMIV) Diagnosis by symptom (DSMIV) Diagnosis by harm - subjective Diagnosis by harm - subjective Diagnosis affected by socio-economic factors, gender, age, class, culture etc. Diagnosis affected by socio-economic factors, gender, age, class, culture etc.

UK Gaming policy – legal framework Gaming laws are complex and recent (1958) Gaming laws are complex and recent (1958) Most gaming subjected to licence Most gaming subjected to licence Restrictions on licencees eased in the past decade Restrictions on licencees eased in the past decade Significant levels of illicit gambling Significant levels of illicit gambling Low-level wagering subject to by-laws by amount Low-level wagering subject to by-laws by amount Affected by internet gambling in the past decade Affected by internet gambling in the past decade

UK Gaming policy – recent proposals Proposal for a “super-casino” Proposal for a “super-casino” Accompanying proposal for large regional casinos Accompanying proposal for large regional casinos Subjected to a bid, process allocated to an independent tribunal Subjected to a bid, process allocated to an independent tribunal Independent tribunal recommended the “super-casino” to be sited in Manchester Independent tribunal recommended the “super-casino” to be sited in Manchester Large regional casinos to be sited in: Great Yarmouth, Hull, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newham, Solihull, Southampton Large regional casinos to be sited in: Great Yarmouth, Hull, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newham, Solihull, Southampton A series of smaller casinos to be sited in: Bath and North East Somerset, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lindsey, Luton, Scarborough, Swansea, Torbay, Wolverhampton A series of smaller casinos to be sited in: Bath and North East Somerset, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lindsey, Luton, Scarborough, Swansea, Torbay, Wolverhampton

UK Gaming policy – political outcome Two legislative houses of parliament – Commons and Lords Two legislative houses of parliament – Commons and Lords Legislation narrowly approved in the House of Commons Legislation narrowly approved in the House of Commons Rejected in the House of Lords – on the “super- casino” issue Rejected in the House of Lords – on the “super- casino” issue Government insists “no Plan B” Government insists “no Plan B” To be resolve by “a son of the manse” To be resolve by “a son of the manse”