The purpose of this study is to establish a baseline measure of the prevalence of gambling-related problems among adults in Oregon. An additional purpose of this study is to identify the types of gambling causing the greatest difficulties for the citizens of Oregon. A large sample of Oregon residents aged 18 and over (N=1,502) were interviewed in May and June, 1997 about the types of gambling they have tried, the amounts of money they spend on gambling and about gambling-related difficulties. The results of this study will be useful in documenting the impacts of legal gambling and will contribute to the formulation of statewide policy with regard to legal gambling in Oregon.
Findings
· In 1997, 87% of the respondents in Oregon acknowledged having ever tried one or more of 14 gambling activities. This lifetime participation rate is comparable to lifetime participation rates in Central and Midwestern states such as Iowa, Minnesota and Montana.
· Lifetime gambling participation in Oregon is highest for lottery play, charitable gambling and casino gambling including Indian Gaming Centers. From one-half to three-quarters of the respondents acknowledge they have done these types of gambling. Approximately one-third of the respondents have ever tried playing video poker.
· Respondents in Oregon spend an average of $43 in a typical month on gambling activities. This average monthly expenditure is in the same range as monthly expenditures identified in Colorado ($37) and Iowa (($40) and lower than monthly expenditures identified in Washington State ($53).
· In Oregon, 3.1% (±0.9%) of the respondents scored as lifetime problem gamblers and an additional 1.8% (±0.7%) of the respondents scored as lifetime probable pathological gamblers. The combined lifetime prevalence rate of problem and pathological gambling in Oregon is 4.9%.
· In Oregon, 1.9% (±0.7%) of the respondents scored as current problem gamblers and an additional 1.4% (±0.6%) of the respondents scored as current probable pathological gamblers. The combined current prevalence rate of problem and pathological gambling in Oregon is 3.3%.
· The combined lifetime prevalence rate in Oregon is similar to the lifetime prevalence rate in Washington State (5.1%) and lower than the prevalence rate in Colorado (6.2%). The current prevalence rate in Oregon is higher than current prevalence rates in Washington State (2.8%) and Colorado (2.5%).
· We estimate that the State of Oregon should plan to provide problem gambling treatment services to between 600 and 1,400 individuals per year based on population projections, the prevalence of current pathological gambling and the proportion of individuals in need who are expected to seek services for addictive disorders.
· Reported gambling expenditures of non-problem gamblers in Oregon account for less than 2% of median annual household income for different income groups. Reported gambling expenditures of problem gamblers in Oregon account for 5% to 14% of median annual household income for different income groups.
· One important difference between non-problem and problem gamblers is the age at which they start gambling. While the mean age at which non-problem gamblers in Oregon started gambling is 24 years old, the mean age at which problem and pathological gamblers in Oregon started gambling is significantly younger at 21 years old.
· In Oregon, prevalence rates are highest among individuals who have ever participated in illegal types of gambling, particularly sports, dice and games of skill. Among legal types of gambling, prevalence rates are highest among respondents who have ever gambled on video poker, card games and non-Indian bingo.
· In Oregon, lifetime problem and probable pathological gamblers are significantly more likely than other respondents to be male, under the age of 30 and non-White as well as divorced, separated or never married. Current problem and probable pathological gamblers are significantly more likely than other respondents in Oregon to be under the age of 30, non-White and divorced, separated or never married. While young non-White individuals in Oregon are at greatest risk for developing gambling problems, it is important to note that the majority of problem and probable pathological gamblers in Oregon are White individuals between 30 and 54 years of age.
· Six out of every ten individuals who have ever experienced gambling problems in Oregon are experiencing those difficulties now. One important difference between lifetime and current problem gamblers is that current problem and probable pathological gamblers are nearly as likely to be female as male.
· Problem gamblers in Oregon are most likely to gamble weekly on legal forms of gambling in the state, including the lottery, video poker and Indian Gaming Centers. Problem gamblers in Oregon spend significantly more than non-problem gamblers on many types of gambling although the differences are greatest for wagering at casinos or Indian Gaming Centers, on video poker and on non-Indian bingo. Lifetime prevalence is highest among those who have ever wagered legally on video poker and illegally on games of skill.
· Problem gamblers in Oregon are significantly more likely than non-problem gamblers to have felt nervous about their gambling, to believe that one or both parents has had a gambling problem, to spend three or more hours gambling at a time and to have lost $100 or more in a single day.
Future Directions
Given the possible expansion of legal gambling in Oregon, it will be important to maintain current services for problem gamblers. In making decisions about implementing services for problem gamblers and their families in Oregon, policy-makers and others may wish to give consideration to developing additional treatment modalities, expanded training opportunities for treatment professionals, a gambling counselor certification program and development of public education and prevention services as well as responsible gaming policies and programs and continued monitoring of gambling and problem gambling prevalence.
