app'rehensive: the blurring lines of gaming/gambling -- and how to protect our most vulnerable

Julie M. Hynes, MA, CPSOregon Problem Gambling Services Conference

Newport, OR October 9, 2014

the

blurring lines of games and

gambling

The complete slide deck & print-friendly handouts are posted at:

www.preventionlane.org/pgsconference

NCPGOregon Problem Gambling ServicesC.A. Baskerville, the heart of awesomenessJim WuelfingDameri Wagner, student internResearchers!

More than ever, problem gambling specialists need to be aware of technology and the issues that face populations from youth to those in recovery for addictions.

Is our definition of “gambling” blurring?

Are youth at risk for disordered gambling by merely playing a free poker app?

Is a person in recovery at risk by playing frequent, often excessive, online social games?

Analyze recent trends, technological issues and parallels related to gambling and gaming. Talk about how these issues put people at risk for harmful consequences.Name tools that can be used to help reduce the risk of harmful consequences of electronic games/gambling.

This is focused mainly on GAMING/GAMBLINGconnections, but parallels are likely to be seen with many other internet/tech-related disorders.

Some content here could present as a “trigger.”If you feel yourself starting to be triggered, please feel free to do whatever you need to do to feel safe.

DIVING INTechnology, Trends & Tie-in’s

Graphic source: http://www.cyber-scholar.com/

Reasons for Play

Theme/Genre

Rewards & Reinforcements

Dopamine

Platforms

CompetitionConvenienceSpeed & intensityDiscovery – new contentNo real “Game Over” for many games“Relationships”

Others?

Source: WSJ.com 2/11/14

Center photo: Daniel Berman.

TechnologySpeedPlatform

As of January 2014:90% of American adults have a cell phone58% of American adults have a smartphone42% of American adults own a tablet

computer

Source: Pew Internet Project

Week of July 1, 2014; Source: appdata.com

TECHNOLOGY

See Keith’s presentation

Higher wagersInflated payoutsBetter odds

Source: mrgreen.com

THE LAWS(& Skirting Them)

Made it illegal to make interstate sportsbets

While this is technically legal today at licensed racetracks, the government has cited the act to prevent ONLINE sports betting.

Made it illegal for banks and credit card companies to allow money to be transferred to online casinos or gambling websites

Fostered growth in third party (PayPal-esque) accounts for money transfers

ILLEGAL

Individual states sometimes have very specific, restrictive laws about online gambling. Some states expressly prohibit online gambling by residents while others have no clear laws.

States currently with legalized online gambling: NV

NJ

DE

Source: betclic.com

Completely digital $ Peer to peer (doesn’t go through a bank) Can be used in any country ANONYMOUS

RESEARCHThe connections.

“Internet Gaming Disorder” A condition warranting more clinical research and experience before it might be considered for inclusion in the main book as a formal disorder.

Source: http://www.dsm5.org/

A sample of 1,178 youth in the U.S.: 8.5% of youth gamers were classified as “pathological gamers”>80% play video games at least occasionally“Pathological” gaming: (using 5 of 10 of DSM-IV; this was prior to DSM-5)

Gentile, D. (2009). Pathological video-game use among youth ages 8-18: A national study. Psychological Science, 20, 594-602. Click here for article.

Gentile, 2009.

FAMILIAR?

Gentile, 2009

Less empathyMore impulsivity

Reinforcing MH issues

Source: Gentile, Choo, Liau, et al. (2011). Pathological video game use among youth: A two year longitudinal study. Pediatrics, 127, e319-29

5.6% college age (18-24)

2½ % all adults (18+)

4% teens (13-17)

This is the first generation of widely available electronic gambling. We really don’t know the effects yet.

The PREFRONTAL CORTEX is the LAST PART to develop.

years old!

The brain is still

developinguntil

So What?

Source: Brain Briefings (2007, October), Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC

Dopamine

Dopamine not released when expecting a loss.Flooded with dopamine when expecting a win!

It’s NOT about the money!

Electronics: about the action. Sound familiar?

“ALMOST WINNING”: dopamine is activated the same as ACTUALLY winning.

Problem gamblers are more likely to see their near misses as “NEAR WINS”

People play LONGER when machines give them NEAR MISSES.

By searching on the app store/Google play (etc.) for apps, mobile users can inadvertently trigger themselves

(Kind of like any online searches for help)

Search string: “Quit gambling”

http://youtu.be/pQnE-ViHqk8

http://youtu.be/pQnE-ViHqk8

APPS: check them. PASSWORDS: get them.PRIVACY: all profiles.CONTROLS: set them (yours, not just the

device!)CHECKS: spontaneously, do it.

• Keep computer use in open area – if you can (desktop computer).

• Monitor, monitor, monitor.• Sites – gambling, parties, “how-to”

videos, etc.• Social media accounts.

Teens “care about their privacy (but) it’s notalways the same kind of privacy that we asadults have. Teens are more concernedabout privacy from their parents, theirteachers, their schools.”

– Amanda Lenhart (source: Forbes.com, 8/22/13)

TRUST

SAFE!

Dr. Kimberly S. Young – Available on Amazon / Kindle

expectations.

to your advantage.

Remember about drinking/gambling. Zero.

xo

Be home by 11. Have fun & text if you need a ride.

Yep got it

ok thanks mom

Jordan6:49PM

5:11PM

My 80’s Frogger game

Image source: eBay user duramax1989

Check out the games/apps WITH your kids Play with your kids or sit with them while they play.

You will have fun and learn about their gaming, too. Check the ratings of the games your kids want to

play. Most games at retail stores are described and rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board(ESRB). Use these ratings as you discuss the most appropriate games with your child or teen. Note that many of these ratings list “E” for everyone!

________________________

Major mobile services (e.g., AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) offer family protection plans

Features include: GPS, purchase blocking, turning off browsing/data/texting, time of day, etc.

See www.preventionlane.org/online-safety for a list of helpful links to these services

Practicality alert: Some features CANNOT be blocked when user has access to WiFi (so…you may need to change your WiFi password often!)

Check privacy settings so their identifying info isn’t available to outsiders, even “friends of friends.”

Insist on access to their pages (PASSWORD).

Image: Mashable.com

Pay attention to clues: restless, withdrawal, lack of interest, different friends, signs you know from problem gamblingINTERVENE if you see warning signs.

(Get intervention tips: www.drugfree.org/intervene)

AND…LAST BUT NOT LEAST!

preventionlane.orgJulie.Hynes@co.lane.or.us

facebook.com/preventionlane

twitter.com/preventionlane