The annual conference of the National Council on Problem Gambling took place in July. Here are reflections from two Minnesotans who attended:
Jeff Hudson, MNAPG Board President, Person with Lived Experience
I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to attend. Ever since I made the commitment to ease gambling harm, I have thought the answer lies in all stakeholders being involved. Here are some of my observations:
· Networking. I had a list of specific people I wanted to meet in person, having either talked or followed on social media and it was a great networking experience.
· Critiquing research. I saw two panels where I had doubts about the thoroughness and accuracy of the research. Hearing the presenters talk about their methodologies helped me think critically about what they were measuring and the results they were claiming.
· Agility grants. I really enjoyed hearing the stories and seeing the videos that were created by participants.
· Veteran programs. The sheer number of veteran-related programs was telling, as was the convincing evidence. It is clear this is a very underserved community, and we have the potential to make some great strides in Minnesota.
· School boards. Someone said they are having more success reaching out to local school boards about gambling education than by going to individual schools. It makes sense, since the school board can influence many schools.
Katie Richards, MNAPG Board Vice President, Problem Gambling Counselor
One of my biggest takeaways from the conference is that sports betting will change a lot of things on many levels, not just on a state level but a national and individual level. There was a lot of education on what sports betting is, who is doing it, the companies that are promoting it, etc. However, one thing that could be done better is, once given that information (the multiple massive studies done), what should the person in the audience do with it? Example, I know the profile of a sports better, but what therapy techniques can I use with them? Or how do I advocate to the state of Minnesota to change the current legislative bills to make sure clients are being protected? On a federal level is there anything I can do? “
Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling community educator Sonja Mertz provides a glimpse into what it’s like fielding a range of conversations when she exhibits around the state.
When I work an exhibit table, I never know what to expect when people approach me. I receive a variety of comments. Some people will tell me, “Life is a gamble.” Others just want to make conversation. “I don’t have a problem with gambling,” they’ll tell me, or “I only take $100 to the casino and when it’s gone, I leave.” Some people might think I am taking an informal inventory on gambling habits. “I’m worried about my mom’s gambling.” Some people are looking for resources…something to encourage a conversation with a loved one. Still others are close, but not quite ready to get the help they need, saying, “I know I have a problem, but I’m having too much fun right now.” Some people need someone to be real with…someone who knows the language. And sometimes I purposely walk away from the table to give the hesitant person a chance to pick up a brochure without having to say anything to the smiling lady who might look too eager to speak with them.
My recent opportunities to host exhibit tables have included some diverse events — a celebration of fathers and families in North Minneapolis, a resource fair for senior citizens in St. Cloud, a conference on Adverse Childhood Experiences for mental health professionals and educators, a resource-sharing celebration for people in recovery from substance misuse, and the Fiesta Latina in St. Paul. The attendees at these events might look different from each other, but their needs are the same. They are all interested in strengthening their communities and keeping their families and loved ones healthy. The conversations that I have at these events assist my work at MNAPG by helping me to understand what types of resources are needed in various communities and by helping our organization to shape future messaging about the harms of gambling and what should be done to reduce that harm.
I also had the opportunity in August to travel to some casinos in central Minnesota and meet with some Human Resources staff members. MNAPG provided boxes of our new brochures and new hotline stickers. Our hope is to build relationships with each casino in Minnesota to work toward maintaining healthy customers and provide resources for their patrons who need help with their gambling behavior.
September, October and November are the busiest conference months for MNAPG. Susan and I will be presenting and/or exhibiting at least twelve different events, not including stand-alone presentations and our own MNAPG Conference in November.
As varied as all these interactions may be, we look forward to having those conversations.
Here are some common themes we noted from the gaming industry during Responsible Gaming Education Month, led by the American Gaming Association.
1. There is a widening consensus within the gaming industry acknowledging their role in minimizing gambling harms. Increasingly advanced technology is providing opportunities to create tools that could help better inform players of the risks they are taking in real time. If operators wish to sustain their business, adopting effective responsible gambling tools will be necessary. Customers will be expecting it.
2. The current thinking is that collecting a wide swath of information from every player will provide greater insights into their behavior and suggest how tools can be designed to minimize harms. Most commonly sited tools are money and time limits. Giving the player tools to set before play begins will offer a line of defense to prevent an individual from taking too many risks. As technology advances, tools are available that learn how players use the machines. The information helps the operator better understand their customers’ behavior. Software already exists that allows an operator to provide a personalized message to each player based on their patterns of play.
3. Responsible gambling must also be raised for those who design games. If the gambling industry wants to continue being categorized as entertainment, games cannot be designed to be predatory. Stricter regulations must be developed to ensure the games that arrive on the floor of a casino or in an app are not designed to create harm.
4. Some in the gaming industry see the embracing of responsible gambling as a threat. It will take more time to convince certain operators that adopting effective responsible gambling tools will lead to greater sustainability of their operations. Partnerships between advocates of problem gambling, regulators, game developers and operators will be key to ensuring effective ways to minimize harm.
Needless to say, we live in a world where texting seems the preeminent form of communication. So why shouldn’t it play an important role in helping someone with a gambling problem.
Now, in Minnesota, it does. LifeWorks, which manages the Minnesota Problem Gambling Helpline, now offers a service called Encourage Me that consists of motivational text messaging.
Encourage Me motivational text messaging is offered to both gamblers and affected others in both English and Spanish. Messages are sent twice each week for three months and are tailored to fit into the client’s stage of change, as clients require a different type of information and support in each stage. The messages provide both information about gambling and problem gambling, encouragement to change, and tips and suggestions on how to make the changes they want to make.
“We realize that some people may just be thinking about changing, while others need maintenance during the recovery period,” says Ashley Trantham, Manager of Customer Success at LifeWorks. Motivational messaging is offered as a supplemental treatment tool and isn’t meant to be a substitute for counseling.
Here are some questions and answers about Encourage Me:
Why Texting?
· The program was developed using research from successful healthcare-related texting programs such as smoking cessation, weight loss, and medication management.
· Text messages have a 98% open rate vs. a 20% open rate for emails.
· Text messages can be opened at any time that is most convenient to the user.
· Available on almost every model of mobile phone.
· Provides a reminder that someone cares.
· Reminds the user that help is available.
Is it effective?
Yes! Outcome surveys are conducted at the conclusion of the texts and in the first year, 86% of survey responses indicated that receiving a text message every week helped keep them focused and working on their goals about gambling. Example comment: “I have not gambled since calling the helpline and found the text messages helpful for reinforcement, reminding me to focus on my goal of not gambling.”
Examples of texts
Contemplation: Consider changing your thoughts from “I have to stop gambling” to “I want to stop gambling” Preparation: You have made significant progress by just acknowledging that gambling is no longer fun. You’re on the right path. Action: Today is the day to be good to yourself. Take a walk, enjoy the warmth of the sun, or give yourself the gift of feeling good about managing your gambling. Maintenance: Take the time to review and modify your goals and plans for recovering from problem gambling. Stay active in your recovery!
Can a person enroll more than once?
Yes
How do I enroll a client?
Clients are offered Encourage Me messages as a standard part of their call to the Problem Gambling Helpline. If your client has not yet enrolled, you can enroll them by calling the helpline together or recommending that they contact the Helpline themselves. Curious? You can call and sign yourself up, too!
While it’s not there yet, cryptocurrency trading is gradually approaching mainstream adoption. It’s a phenomenon in the investing world, but its safety is questionable. While some people have made millions buying cryptocurrency, others have lost everything.
Is cryptocurrency trading a form of gambling and, if it is, can one become addicted? There’s a strong argument to be made that the answers to both questions are yes.
According to Kevin Davis, a leading financial expert in Australia, when one buys a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, chances are they’re doing it not to make a payment but because they believe someone will be willing to pay more for the Bitcoin in the future (Sydney Morning Herald, July 1, 2022). While Davis says that it’s different from other forms of gambling, where the outcome of a horse race or a sports contest determines the gain or loss, he still sees it as gambling.
With excessive cryptocurrency trading, an individual risks money on a highly volatile commodity in hopes of making a substantial return. It is similar to gambling on high-risk stocks like margins and options.
Surging prices of cryptocurrency can bring a rush of dopamine. Regular “hits” of dopamine stemming from the volatility of cryptocurrency – as well as the fact that it can be traded at any time – can produce addiction more easily than stock trading, which has a market that’s less volatile and has limited trading hours.
Indeed, there are specific signs of cryptocurrency addiction according to Family Addiction Specialist (familyaddictionspecialist.com). These include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Taking on increased risk without much strategy or needing to make bigger wagers in order to receive satisfaction or excitement.
2. Obsession with researching and trading cryptocurrencies or having a preoccupation or compulsion to constantly check prices.
3. Losing interest in social and leisure activities once found pleasurable at the expense of engaging in trading.
4. Trading for an adrenaline rush or to induce pleasure.
5. Unsuccessful attempts at reducing time spent on trading and trading-related activities, or unsuccessful attempts from taking a break or abstaining from trading-related activities.
6. Trading compulsively or experiencing strong urges and cravings to engage in trading-related activities.
7. Experiencing stress, anxiety, a low mood, irritability, insomnia, anger or other unwanted and unhealthy mental health symptoms when trading or when unable to trade.
8. Lying or hiding trading or trading-related activities from loved ones.
9. Stealing, taking loans, selling assets or using money that should be spent on bills or necessities in order to make trades.
10. Continuing to trade despite adverse consequences to financial stability, relationships, physical and mental wellbeing, or other important life areas.
If you or a loved one is struggling with cryptocurrency addiction, call the Minnesota Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-333-4673 (HOPE) for free confidential help.
