“Problem gambling is gambling behavior which causes disruptions in any major area of life: psychological, physical, social or vocational. The term "Problem Gambling" includes... "Pathological", or "Compulsive" Gambling, a progressive addiction characterized by increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, 'chasing' losses, and loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting, serious, negative consequences.” For 34 years, the NCPG has set out to inform, educate, and provide a resource for gamblers everywhere. “We try to provide a safety net for those who have a problem,” said Whyte. “We want to make sure that, if people do gamble, they do so responsibly. If they don’t, we’re there to pick up the pieces.” The NCPG focuses on educating the gambling community and others on identifying problem gambling: “People with gambling problems are preoccupied with gambling and lose control. They’re basically talking and thinking about gambling 24 hours per day. Many other things in their life are not important anymore.”
After identifying problem gaming, the next step is assisting in its treatment: “First, it’s offering your friendship and letting the person know it’s not a judgment you’re making. Second, if you do offer some suggestions, offer them a resource like a phone number or a website.” The NCPG offers a 24-hour, confidential hotline to call in, 800-522-4700. Counselors are standing by and everything is kept in the strictest of confidentiality. “We’ve made, as a society, enormous progress to encourage people with an addiction to seek help. We haven’t done as well with gambling problems. I think there’s still a significant amount of shame and stigma, which prevents a lot of people from getting the help they need from talking to a friend.”
The game of poker offers a unique paradox between a potential problem gambler chasing the “skill” they possess in poker as opposed to the “luck” offered to them by other casino games of chance: “With poker and with other skill-based games, one of the problems is that, when people believe there’s a difference between luck and skill, many people in general and especially those with gambling problems believe that their skill or luck is so much better than anyone else’s. The more skill a game is perceived to have, the more trouble people can get into because people believe they are going to be able to beat the system.”
The NCPG website, www.ncpgambling.org, provides an extensive resource for those interested in learning about responsible gambling. You’ll find an anonymous online quiz that will take your answers and make suggestions as to your gambling behavior. There is also a directory of gambling counselors, a collection of frequently asked questions, and, overall, tools to assist and educate people in gambling responsibly.
PocketFives.com would like to thank Whyte for his time and intriguing insight into the world of gambling education. He has held the title of Executive Director since 1998 after working as the Director of Research for the American Gaming Association. Prior employers include the American Bar Association and the United States Department of Health and Human Services. He also serves on the Editorial Board of numerous gambling publications.*
The Podcast featuring Whyte will be available on PocketFives.com on Thursday, December 20, 2006. Also on the show is poker pro and PocketFiver Blair Rodman. For this and all Podcasts, visit www.pocketfives.com/podcast.
* Biographical information courtesy of www.ncpgambling.org.
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