Adolescent Gambling in Oregon:

A report to the

Oregon Gambling Addiction Treatment Foundation

BY:

Matthew J. Carlson, Ph.D.

Institute of Health, Health Care Policy, and Aging Research

Rutgers University

New Brunswick, New Jersey

AND

Thomas L. Moore, Ph.D.

Herbert & Louis

Wilsonville, Oregon

December 1, 1998

Funded by the Oregon Gambling Addiction Treatment Foundation

Salem, Oregon

Acknowledgements

In August of 1998, the Oregon Gambling Addiction Treatment Foundation commissioned a study with the purpose of estimating the prevalence of gambling behavior and pathological gambling among Oregon youth ages thirteen to seventeen. Although this survey was conducted and carried out by Matthew Carlson and Thomas Moore, it would not have been possible without the help of many individuals and organizations who assisted with the project. The authors would like to thank Mr. Michael McCracken for his untiring assistance in making this study a reality. Without the gracious support of the Spirit Mountain Community Fund and the Oregon Lottery this study would not have been possible.

The authors would also like to thank Rina Gupta, Sue Fisher, Henry Lesieur, Randy Stinchfield, Ken Winters, Norval Glenn, and Dan Mears for their collegial support and suggestions during the process.

Copies of this report can be obtained by contacting:

Oregon Gambling Addiction Treatment Foundation

PO Box 866

Salem, Oregon 97308

(503) 399-7201

www.gamblingaddiction.org

Executive Summary

The Oregon Gambling Addiction Treatment Foundation commissioned this independent study to measure the estimated prevalence of gambling and problem gambling among Oregon youth ages 13 to 17. This telephone survey of 1000 randomly selected youth in Oregon was conducted in September and October of 1998. The Key findings of this study are as follows:

• Seventy-five percent (± 3) of the respondents surveyed reported gambling for money at least once in their lives and 66% (± 3) reported gambling last year. As with prevalence studies done in other states, this study found that boys and older adolescents were more likely to gamble than girls and younger adolescents (Volberg, 1993; Westphal, 1998; Winters, Stinchfield and Fulkerson, 1993b). This study found that between 140,777 to 154,185 adolescents gambled for money in the last 12 months.

• The rate of level 2 (in-transition) gambling is estimated by this study at 11.2% (± 2%). The rate of level 3 (problem) gambling is estimated at 4.1% (± 2). These rates appear to be slightly lower than rates of the few states which have conducted studies and used similar techniques for estimating problem gambling including Washington State, Minnesota and Louisiana.

• The study findings recommend the development of treatment opportunities for youth with problems associated with gambling. It is estimated that between 20,558 and 29,496 adolescents are level 2 gamblers while between 4,693 and 13,631 are level 3 gamblers.

• It is estimated that between 94 and 272 adolescents should access treatment each year.

• Of those adolescents who reported gambling, 4.0 percent reported daily gambling while 13.3 percent reported weekly gambling for money. Boys were more likely to be frequent gamblers than girls.

• Among 13 to 17 year-olds, 39% (± 3) have played the Oregon Lottery at least once in their life, and 30% (± 3) reported playing last year. At least 50% of the young lottery players obtain the tickets from family members, and 35% buy them illegally, primarily at grocery stores and convenience stores. This finding was similar to those in other states (Shaffer, H.J., Hall, M.N. and Vander Bilt, J., 1997)

• Approximately 19% (± 2) of the respondents reported gambling in a casino at least once in their lives, and 12% (± 2) reported gambling in a casino last year. This finding was similar to those in other states (Shaffer, H.J., Hall, M.N. and Vander Bilt, J., 1997). Approximately 50% of those reporting casino gambling reported doing so out of State.

• Of the other forms of gambling, purchasing raffle tickets (41%) was the most frequently cited, followed by betting on sports with friends or relatives (32%); playing cards (31%) and betting on games of skill, such as pool or bowling, (25%).

• The youth in this survey were significantly more likely to gamble and were also more likely to begin gambling earlier (in grade school) if one or both of their parents gamble.

• Age of onset may be decreasing in Oregon. Younger respondents (13 and 14 years old) were significantly more likely to report gambling in grade school than older respondents (15 to 17 years old). In addition, respondents who reported gambling in grade school were significantly more likely to be problem gamblers.

• As found in other studies, there is a moderate correlation between gambling and alcohol, drug, and tobacco use (Westphal et al., 1998).

• Less than one percent reported gambling with money on the Internet.

• Prevention efforts, targeting grade and middle school aged children, are indicated. The association of problem gambling with other risk behaviors such as smoking and alcohol and drug use would indicate these prevention efforts could be blended with existing efforts formally integrated into the private and public school curricula.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements........................................................................	i
Executive Summary.......................................................................	ii
Table of Contents...........................................................................	iv
List of Tables..................................................................................	v
Chapter One. Introduction.............................................................	1
Purpose of the Study...............................................................	1
Defining Problem Gambling....................................................	2
Estimating Problem Gambling.................................................	5
Data and Methods....................................................................	6
Survey Methodology................................................................	8
Chapter Two. Adolescent Gambling...............................................	10
The Prevalence of Gambling....................................................	10
Prevalence of Lottery Gambling...............................................	11
Prevalence of Casino Gambling...............................................	13
Prevalence of Other Gambling Activities..................................	14
Prevalence of Gambling for Selected Counties.......................	15
Gambling Frequency................................................................	16
Average Monthly Expenditures.................................................	17
Grade of Onset.........................................................................	19
Youth Gambling and Parental Gambling..................................	21
Gambling Prevalence/Frequency and Substance Use.............	23
Advertising Awareness and Gambling......................................	24
Adolescent Attitudes.................................................................	26
Chapter Summary.....................................................................	27
Chapter Three. Level 2 and Level 3 Gambling...............................	29
Prevalence of Level 2 and Level 3 Gambling...........................	29
Age of Onset, Parental Gambling and Problem Gambling.......	31
Substance Abuse and Problem Gambling................................	34
Comparing Oregon's Rates with Other States..........................	34
Chapter Summary.....................................................................	36
Chapter Four. Conclusions and Implications of the Study..............	37
Prevalence of Gambling and Problem Gambling......................