Women

The Definition of a Pathological Gambler

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According to the American Psychiatric Association, in order to be diagnosed as a pathological gambler, someone must meet five of the ten criteria below:

  • Committing crimes to get money to gamble
  • Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut back or quit gambling
  • Gambling to escape problems or feelings of sadness or anxiety
  • Gambling larger amounts of money to try to make back previous losses
  • Having had many unsuccessful attempts to cut back or quit gambling
  • Losing a job, relationship, or educational or career opportunity due to gambling
  • Lying about the amount of time or money spent gambling
  • Needing to borrow money due to gambling losses
  • Needing to gamble larger amounts of money in order to feel excitement
  • Spending a lot of time thinking about gambling, such as remembering past experiences or ways to get more money with which to gamble
CkirbyThe Definition of a Pathological Gambler
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The Effects of Video Poker in South Carolina

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In 1997, Dr. Quinn founded the South Carolina Center for Gambling Studies and directed a statewide study of Video Poker’s impact on South Carolina. This study outlined the pattern of devastation Video Poker was having on average citizens and demonstrated the uniquely addictive nature of electronic gambling. Dr. Quinn’s study and a follow-up study with Dr. William Thompson of UNLV focusing on the economic impact of Video Poker in South Carolina, contributed greatly to demise of Video Poker in South Carolina.

Here are some key findings from the research:

1. The combination of electronic gambling and convenience venues is extremely addictive and destructive.
2. Minorities and women in particular appear disproportionately vulnerable to video poker.
3. People often gamble more often and/or longer when they are induced.
4. Sometimes people gamble and develop pathology because they have the opportunity.
5. The pathology associated with video poker, unlike other forms of gambling, may prove to be largely non-transferable.
6. The long term economic and social costs associated with gambling are often ignored by political processes obsessed with short term and visible financial gain.

Report of The Quinn-Pike Video Gaming Study

An Economic Analysis of Machine Gambling in South Carolina

CkirbyThe Effects of Video Poker in South Carolina
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The Tobacco and Predatory Gambling Industries Partner Up (in Secret) to Make Huge Profits

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In August 2011, the Reno News and Review publishing the article below detailing how two local Chambers of Commerce in Nevada served as front groups for an influential study that was secretly paid for by the tobacco industry. Since its publication in 1996, the study has been cited repeatedly by the predatory gambling industry in its argument to oppose smoking bans in casinos. It partnered with the tobacco industry to ensure that both would continue to make huge profits of the misfortunes of their customers. This information came to light with the recent publication of the book Casino Women by Susan Chandler and Jill B. Jones. 

Smoke and Mirrors – Big Tobacco and Big Casino Sold Nevadans a Bill of Goods

LesThe Tobacco and Predatory Gambling Industries Partner Up (in Secret) to Make Huge Profits
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The Effects of Predatory Gambling in Maryland

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This May 2011 report from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County studied how Maryland residents have been affected by the many forms of predatory gambling now available in the state including slots, the lottery, and horse racing. The most significant finding was that individuals in the 18 to 29 age group appear most at risk of developing gambling problems. In addition, researchers found that “being male, single, African-American or other races (primarily Hispanic) are associated with an increase in the odds of being at risk for problem/pathological gambling. Most problem/pathological gamblers travel 6 to 15 miles to gamble, typically spend over 6 hours gambling during a single session, and generally gamble with others not related to them.”

Gambling Prevalence in Maryland – A Baseline Analysis

CkirbyThe Effects of Predatory Gambling in Maryland
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