Downside of gambling is no fun for addicts
For most of our nation’s history, gambling was considered a largely illicit activity, enormously popular but only legal in a handful of places around the country.
The pandemic has made matters even worse with the boredom, loneliness and despair of lockdown.
Things have changed considerably. A trip to Las Vegas or Atlantic City no longer is required to place bets, whether it be on dice, cards, slot machines or sporting events. Today people can gamble in-person at casinos close to home or play online without even pulling out of their driveway. And there’s always the convenient option of playing the lottery.
Gambling has proliferated in large part because state governments see a revenue opportunity that doesn’t require raising taxes. Casinos are regarded as an economic development tool. And many believe that if people are going to gamble anyway, it’s better to have the activity under government control and with at least some of the proceeds benefiting the public.
But there’s a serious downside to this. Gambling is a fun diversion for most of us, but for too many it is an addiction. People who might have indulged it in the past with an occasional trip can now play endlessly, putting them at greater risk of dangerous debt and despair.
The coronavirus pandemic has made matters even worse. Even with casinos closed or operating at limited capacity over the past year, people could keep betting. And the boredom, loneliness and despair of lockdown only compounded the problem.
Each March the dangers of excessive betting come the forefront during Problem Gambling Awareness Month. To show just how serious officials in Pennsylvania are taking this issue, the message here is being delivered by a coalition of agencies that includes the addiction specialists at the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. Indeed, this is a true addiction that should be taken just as seriously as substance abuse.
Problem gambling is any gambling, betting or wagering that causes family, financial, legal, emotional or other problems for the individual, their family or others. At its worst, a gambling disorder can lead to significant impairment or distress. And people of any age, race, education level or socioeconomic status can fall victim.
What makes this addiction particularly nefarious is the difficulty in detecting it, as there aren’t physical symptoms. Loved ones need to watch carefully for signs of an unhealthy preoccupation with gambling and related financial difficulties.
It’s particularly important to realize that even the most seemingly innocuous forms of gambling can lead to addiction danger.
We are quite pleased to see that the Pennsylvania Lottery is among the agencies taking a lead role in Problem Gambling Awareness Month.
Buying a few lottery or scratch-off tickets can be fun. Routinely purchasing them in large quantities is a sign of trouble, especially for people who don’t have significant disposable income. The cost of a heavy lottery habit can be quite substantial.
The key here, as with any other form of gambling, is to hold to a budget and not try to chase losses or compound wins. The odds dictate that it’s practically impossible to come out ahead in the long run. It’s far more likely to wind up way behind. That’s how gambling produces tremendous revenue for the people running the games.
The first step in recovery comes from recognizing there’s a problem and asking for help. People in Pennsylvania who need help or know of someone who does should call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-4262537) or use the chat/text feature on pacouncil.com.
“While millions of Americans, and hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians experience gambling-related problems, it is important to know that help is available and recovery is possible,” said Josh Ercole, executive director, Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania.
That’s an important message that all of us should heed this month and throughout the year. Please take this issue seriously. Gambling is not all fun and games.