Problem Gambling Video PSA Catechism of the Catholic Church

Problem gambling is gambling behavior which causes disruptions in any major area of life: psychological, physical, social or vocational. The term "Problem Gambling" includes, but is not limited to, the condition known as "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. One of the biggest problems related to gambling and other compulsive and addictive behaviors is that the person with the problem tends to be the last one to see it. You probably picked up this brochure because you wondered either about your own gambling or the gambling habits of someone you care about. We're glad you had the courage to do so, and we hope the following information will increase your understanding of this problem area. Risking money or valuables in hopes of winning more than you're risking is gambling. Calling it a "friendly bet," or a "gentleman's bet," or saying "We're just making the game a little more interesting" does not alter the fact that it is still gambling. Gambling can include buying instant lottery tickets, playing the on-line or video lottery games, playing cards, dice, or dominoes, playing in casinos, playing slot machines, betting on sporting events (with or without a bookie), betting on the horses or greyhounds, betting on games of skill (bowling, pool, golf, video or arcade games), and many other activities. Most all of us have sat around and fantasized about what we would do if we won the lottery or hit it big in Las Vegas. But for most of us, these fantasies remain fantasies. Perhaps we buy an occasional lottery ticket, but that's about it. And some people can gamble occasionally without it affecting their lives seriously. But many can't. Time magazine estimates that there are nearly eight million compulsive gamblers in America, one million of whom are teenagers. An Illinois criminal justice professor found eight times as many gambling addicts among college students as among adults. Closer to home, a study by the Texas Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling found that teenagers and young adults are at much greater risk for developing serious gambling problems than are adults. In the central area of Texas (including Austin), the average gambler was more likely to be a White male (although females and minorities are definitely included), younger, never married, relatively well educated, but with an income on the low side. More so than gamblers from other regions, the gambler from Central Texas said he liked gambling on games of skill, video lotteries, sporting events, high-risk investments, and card games. He said he gambled out of curiosity or for the challenge, he was more likely to have used alcohol or drugs, and he reports a higher number of substance problems. These problem gamblers also had significantly lower academic grades, and they were more likely to skip school. Video clip from the public domain. Text from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

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[ChoofMonster]

Compulsive gamblers rarely get addicted to lotteries; the chance of payoff is small, and there's only one 'hit' or two per week. It's a voluntary tax on old people who have disposable income but are bad at math.

Slot machines, racing, sports betting, cards and casino games have more addicting properties, because there are frequent bets and payouts which reinforce the thrill.

[rosaryfilms]

ChoofMonster, I have known and heard of many cases of exorbitant expeditures on lotteries. People with chronic gambling problems have no constraints.

[pokelover02]

hey, there aren't "many" people who can't "gamble occasionally without it affecting their lives seriously". 8 million compared to the size of america...why, that's nothing! its rare to find any compulsive gamblers around.. and so what if there are? all they need to realize is that they need help, and once that's done there are plenty of people they can go to for it.. casinos even contribute to groups that help compulsive gamblers, so u can't blame them at all..

[curiousproclivity]

State lottos benifit public education, so it bassically is donating to the public good. (since you are more likely to be struck by lightning than to actually win the lotto.)

[y100269]

i cant believe how fast and easy it is to sell lotery tickets. its all seniors too. seiously they need to get a life and donate the money to the hungry instead.