Posted on May - 17 - 2011
Online gambling generating new addicts, researcher says
CALGARY — Online gambling is giving easy access to future addicts without having to set foot in a casino, according to the head of the University of Calgary’s Addictive Behaviours Laboratory.
“It’s a real different landscape now. It’s a moving target,” said David Hodgins, whose study of problem gambling has been published in the medical journal, The Lancet.
Other provinces allow online gambling, however Alberta does not.
The Maritime provinces and B.C. already have online gambling sites. Ontario and Quebec are following suit.
“Alberta is taking a wait-and-see attitude, which I think is sensible,” said Hodgins.
Hodgins says gambling disorders are often found in conjunction with other mental health and substance-abuse disorders. Further understanding is needed to find root causes and treatment implications.
“Most of our progress in recognizing and understanding gambling disorders has been made in the past 25 years,” says Hodgins. “Our knowledge continues to evolve in parallel with a burgeoning availability of gambling opportunities. Internet gambling, for example, is providing around-the-clock home access to several types of gambling activities to an increasing number of people around the world.”
Pathological gamblers have a fourfold higher risk of alcohol abuse and up to six times the risk of drug abuse, he said.
Hodgins says that due mainly to shame, denial and a desire to handle the problem themselves, only one in 10 problem gamblers seeks treatment
Outreach to online gamblers, including public service advertising about addiction, could go a long way toward reaching problem gamblers outside casinos.
Gamblers Anonymous and other interventions aren’t always successful.
“While substantial progress has already been made, the increased visibility and awareness into gambling disorders is likely to encourage more innovative research in the field and hopefully better treatment,” says Hodgins.
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