More than 750,000 Florida adults struggle with gambling difficulties. The FCCG offers free supports to problem gamblers, families, and others. 

Anyone can suffer from a gambling problem, regardless of educational, cultural, financial, vocational or other background.  The compulsive gambler could be your spouse or partner, friend, parent, child, co-worker, employer, or anyone else you know.  It could even be you.

It’s important to acknowledge that compulsive gambling is a mental health disorder of impulse control and the effects can be devastating to individuals and those closest to the gambler.  Fortunately, compulsive gambling is treatable.  With proper help, problem gamblers can regain their lives, and family and friends can learn to cope and handle presenting challenges.

The first step to getting help for a gambling problem is admitting that you have one.  The following warning signs can aid you in determining whether you may be in need of assistance:

WARNING SIGNS

Do you or someone you know:

• Gamble to calm nerves, forget worries or reduce depression?
• Have difficulty sticking to time and money limits while gambling?
• Lose time from work or school due to gambling?
• Experience mood swings based on winnings and losses?
• Neglect personal needs or health due to gambling?
• Lie or argue with family or friends about gambling?
• Use savings, or sell or pawn personal possessions to gamble or pay off debts?
• Borrow or steal money to pay off losses?
• Engage in illegal activities to gamble?
• Feel you want to stop gambling but are unable to do so?

Answering “yes” to one or more of these signs can indicate a gambling problem.  Don’t try to handle it alone.  Call the FCCG HelpLine today (888-ADIMT-IT).

WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH SHOW?

Gambling in one form or another has been part of human behavior since ancient times.  Today, gambling is a socially accepted form of entertainment and opportunities to gamble continue to increase.  With the advancement of the Internet, now individuals do not even need to leave their homes to gamble.  Moreover, with the booming growth of the gaming industry, accompanied by media promotion and advertising, individuals prone to compulsive gambling are increasingly at risk for exposure and are often encouraged to gamble.  Evidence indicates that increased accessibility to gambling facilities can lead to a rise in problem and compulsive gambling.

Compulsive gambling is a significant public health issue that has high personal and social costs.  Beyond the gambler and the family, society bears the financial burden of increased rates of personal bankruptcy or the need for public assistance or other government supports.  Yet, despite the prevalence of gambling related problems, there is little federal and state funding for mental health services specifically aimed towards the needs of compulsive gamblers or persons adversely affected.

In the most recent national study conducted by the National Opinion Research Council, 2.5 million American adults are pathological (compulsive) gamblers and another 3 million are problem gamblers.  Fifteen million more adults are at risk of developing a gambling problem. This review revealed an increase in gambling opportunities and participation since the prior national examination, completed in the mid-1970’s.

One of the notable differences between Florida and the nation is the percentage of respondents who are in the 50+ category.  While nationally, about 33% of the population is age 50 or older, in Florida the percentage is substantially higher at 45%.  Another significant difference is that more than 50% of Floridians who gamble report traveling less than 50 miles to frequent a venue, versus one-fifth of respondents in the national study.  Moreover, Florida had a greater percentage of at-risk, problem, and compulsive gamblers than found in the national study.

Among residents here in Florida:

• 2% are past year problem/pathological gamblers
• 3.6% are lifetime problem/pathological gamblers
• 7.1% are current at-risk gamblers
• 12.1% are lifetime at-risk gamblers

As has been demonstrated in other research on gambling, problem and compulsive gamblers in Florida use tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs for non-medical reasons, while at-risk gamblers are most likely to use marijuana or cocaine.  Pathological gamblers report drinking more than three times as much when they drink as those in other groups.  Problem and compulsive gamblers also report depression, being arrested, being treated for a drug or alcohol problem, and describe difficulties with family members or friends significantly more often than their non-problem gambling counterparts. 

For Floridians, the three most popular lifetime gambling activities are the lottery, raffles, and casino gambling.  The top three forms of gambling creating the most difficulties among residents include casino gambling, sports betting, and pari-mutuel games.

Other research specifics follow:

• Males are more likely than females to be lifetime and current at-risk, problem and pathological gamblers.

• Divorced and separated individuals are most likely to be past year pathological gamblers.  Those who never married are most likely to be at-risk gamblers.

• Persons between the ages of 18-29 are most likely to be classified as problem gamblers, whereas adults ages 30-39 and 40-49 are equally likely to be compulsive gamblers.  Floridians ages 18-29 and 30-39 are most likely to be at-risk gamblers.

• Hispanics are more likely to be lifetime compulsive gamblers and Native Americans, Asians, and other minorities are most apt to be lifetime problem gamblers.

• Floridians who are students, disabled, unemployed, or others are most likely to be lifetime pathological and problem gamblers.  Persons who are working full-time are most likely to be lifetime problem gamblers.

• Women are more likely than men to report that someone in their family has experienced physical, verbal or emotional abuse, or alcohol or substance abuse.