addressing college gambling: a look at science-based policies and programs for preventing and...
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Addressing College Gambling:A Look at Science-Based Policies and Programs for Preventing and Reducing
Gambling-Related Harms
<NAME OF SCHOOL><DATE>
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''Gambling has become the new rite of passage on college campuses, the way binge drinking once was. I'm glad to see colleges are pulling their heads out of the sand on this issue. This is very encouraging.''
- Greg Hogan Sr. of Ohio, in an article by the Allentown Morning Call
Hogan’s son, who had been Lehigh's freshman class president, robbed an Allentown bank in 2005 to fund his online gambling addiction.
Research on College Gambling
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75 Percent of College Students Gambled During the Past Year,
Whether Legally or Illegally
Barnes et al., 2010
(83 percent male; 67 percent female)
Estimate of at risk/problem gambling: 6 %
Games College Students Play
Game Percentage
Lottery 41%
Card Games 38%
Office pools, raffles, charitable 38%
Sports betting 23%
Games of skill (bowling, golf, basketball) 20%
Casino gambling 15%
Bingo 13%
Slot machines, poker machines 10%
Dice 8%
Pull tabs 8%
Horses, dogs 7%
Video keno 4%
Trading cards 3 %
Internet gambling 3%
Barnes et al., 2010
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Correlates of College Student Gambling
Compared to their non-gambling counterparts, students who had gambled in the past year had higher rates of:
Binge drinking
Marijuana use
Cigarette use
Illicit drug use
Unsafe sex after drinking
LaBrie et al., 2003
Compared to students without gambling problems, students with gambling problems are more likely to:
Use tobacco
Use alcohol, drink heavily or binge drink, and get drunk
Use marijuana or other illegal drugs
Drive under the influence
Have a low GPA
Correlates of College Student Gambling
LaBrie et al., 2003
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College Students and Mental Disorders
Increase in psychiatric disorders among college students in recent years
Dramatic advances in antidepressants and other drugs during the past 30 years have enabled more students with depression, anxiety and other psychiatric disorders to attend college
Kadison, & DiGeronimo, 2004; Gallagher, 2004
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Gambling Disorders & Co-occurring Psychiatric and Addictive Disorders
Among pathological gamblers: 75% had an alcohol disorder 38% had a non-alcohol, drug-use disorder 60% were nicotine dependent Nearly 50% had experienced a mood disorder 41.3% experienced an anxiety disorder 60.8% experienced a personality disorder
Petry & Grant, 2005
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College Policies on Alcohol and Gambling
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Prevalence of College Alcohol or Gambling Policies in U.S. Colleges and Universities
Alcohol: 100%Gambling: 22%
Shaffer et al, 2005
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Conclusions
Lack of college policies on gambling and recovery signify missed opportunities to:Inform students about the risks of excessive gamblingProvide recovery-oriented measures designed to support student persistence
Shaffer et al, 2005
Task Force on College Gambling Policies
A project of the Division on Addictions at Cambridge Health Alliance, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School
andThe National Center for Responsible Gaming
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National Center for Responsible Gaming
Established as a nonprofit in 1996 to help individuals and families affected by gambling disorders by:
Supporting the finest peer-reviewed, scientific research into pathological and youth gambling
Encouraging practical applications of research findings to improve prevention, diagnostic, intervention and treatment strategies
Advancing public education about gambling disorders and responsible gaming
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Schools Represented on Task Force
Bridgewater State College George Fox University Harvard University Lehigh University Mississippi State
University Oregon State University
• University of Alabama• University of Denver• University of Missouri• University of Nevada, Las Vegas• University of Nevada, Reno• Villanova University
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Task Force on College Gambling Policies
Report translates what we know about college gambling and related problems into a blueprint for developing college policies designed to: Help reduce gambling problems among studentsEnable students who are struggling with addiction to fully participate in college life
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Task Force: Guiding Principles
Health promotion must include attention to both mental and physical health
Policies on gambling and alcohol should support student persistence in schools
Gambling policies should be integrated into policies/programs focused on alcohol and other drugs
continued
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Task Force: Guiding Principles
Institutions should be proactive in response to college gambling and drinking
Policies should be grounded in empirical research published in peer-reviewed scientific journals
Policies should be enforceable to prevent students from losing respect for the rule of law
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A Call to Action
Addressing College Gambling:
Recommendations for Science-based
Policies and Programs
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Task Force Recommendations1. Establish a campus-wide committee to develop and monitor a
comprehensive policy on gambling. Alternative: Add gambling to agenda of existing committees focused on alcohol.
2. Ensure that college policies are consistent with local, state, and federal laws. Examine current policies Disseminate information campus-wide on laws affecting gambling Encourage campus security to collaborate with local law enforcement
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Task Force Recommendations
3. Strive for consistency and universal application with prohibitions and restrictions on gambling and alcohol use at special events. Be prepared for conflicts of interest when attempting to restrict or prohibit
gambling and alcohol use at on-campus events. Consider the potential for sending mixed messages about alcohol and gambling. Encourage organizations to use non-gambling themes for special events.
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Task Force Recommendations
4. Promote campus-community collaborations that focus on reducing problems with student drinking and gambling. Develop relationships with local gambling operators to encourage restrictions on
advertising and ensure that laws on underage gambling are enforced.
5. Encourage adjustments in disciplinary action applied to violators of gambling rules if the student seeks assistance from health or counseling services.
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Task Force Recommendations
6. Make reasonable accommodations for students focused on recovery from a problem with gambling or alcohol. Allow students who need time off to focus on recovery from a gambling or alcohol
disorder to take a medical leave of absence.
Make reasonable accommodations allowing students involved in off-campus treatment to continue in classes.
Allow students who withdraw and are no longer eligible for a refund to appeal the process citing gambling or alcohol problems as an extenuating circumstance beyond the control of the student involved.
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Task Force Recommendations7. Measure student attitudes, behaviors, and problems with gambling
through campus surveys or by incorporating such measures into existing campus health-related surveys.
8. Promote campus-wide awareness of (1) pathological gambling as a mental health disorder that has a high rate of comorbidity with alcohol use and other addictive disorders, and (2) responsible gaming principles.
9. Employ evidence-based strategies to identify and help students with gambling and alcohol problems.
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Task Force Recommendations
10. Strengthen the capacity of counseling services to identify and treat gambling disorders. Assess the ability of counseling staff to meet the needs of students with gambling
problems and provide additional training if necessary. Encourage referrals to off-campus treatment providers who are certified
specialists in the area of addiction treatment. Specify the availability of services and promote them to students through a wide
variety of media.
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A Call to Action
Addressing College Gambling: Recommendations for Science-based Policies and Programs
Available for free download at
www.ncrg.org
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<SCHOOL’S> Resources to Address Gambling
<ADD INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL’S EXISTING EFFORTS, PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES HERE.>
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National Center for Responsible Gaming
www.ncrg.org
For More Information