Problem gambling
What is problem gambling? Also called Compulsive Gambling, it is a progressive behavior disorder leading to an uncontrollable preoccupation and urge to gamble. Compulsive gambling is classified by the American Psychiatric Association as a diagnosable and treatable illness. [1]
Over 85% of U.S. adults have gambled at least once in their lifetimes; about 60% each year. Of all adults in the U.S. 1% are pathological problem gamblers and another 2-3% are serious problem gamblers. [2] 51% of Americans participate in lottery gambling. [3]
Lotteries are gambling and, as such, lead to problem gambling. Many believe lotteries are an innocuous, gentle form of gambling. But they’re not; indeed, one form of lottery gambling -- Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) -- was cited by New York authorities as the “biggest problem” with that state’s surge in gambling addiction. [4]
The same forces prevalent in Craps, Blackjack or horse-racing that lead to problem gambling exist in lottery play.
“Problem and pathological gamblers behave in ways that are harmful to themselves and their families, and this behavior can contribute to depression, domestic abuse, divorce, homelessness, and suicide.” [5]
VLTs are bad enough. But even the more gentle-appearing forms of lottery gambling, such as instant lotteries or on-line games as such as Powerball, contribute to problem gambling. At the very least, these allegedly innocuous types of lotteries can serve as easy entry-level introductions to gambling that do lead to the forms of gambling that have traditionally been associated with problem gambling. This may be analogous to the claim that the use of soft drugs leads to hard drug addiction.
[1] “Play Responsibly”, California Lottery found at http://www.calottery.com/playresponsibly/whatis.html
[2] "Frequently asked questions about gambling and problem gambling", National Council on Problem Gambling found at http://www.ncpgambling.org/about_problem/about_problem_faq.asp
[3] State lotteries at the turn of the century: Report to the National Gambling Impact Study Commission, Duke University. p. 37 found at http://www.pubpol.duke.edu/people/faculty/clotfelter/lottrep.pdf
[4] "Gambling addiction soaring in the city", New York Daily News, January 2, 2005; found at http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/267458p-229008c.html
[5] "National Gambling Impact Study Commission Report", National Gambling Impact Study Commission, p. 18. Cited in The public policy value of state lotteries. found at http://www.rhodes.edu/public/2_0-Academics/2_1_5-politicalscience/pdfs/ThePublicPolicyValueofStateLotteries_ErinnStaley.pdf