The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

The WAGER, Vol. 1(18) - U.S. Supreme Court Rulings on Indian Gaming

On March 27, 1996, in Seminole Tribe v. Florida, the United States Supreme Court declared part of the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) unconstitutional. On the surface this case appears to be a victory for governors who are refusing to negotiate with tribes in their states: the Court ruled that states cannot be sued without their consent. However, on April 15, 1996, in the same case, the Supreme Court let stand a decision by a lower court allowing Indian tribes to go directly to the federal Secretary of the Interior for Class III gaming regulations, bypassing state governments completely.... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 1(17) - Treating Pathological Gambling: Abstinence versus Controlled Gambling

The idea of controlled use for those who have a problem with gambling or with substances is a controversial one in the addictions field. Most pathological gambling treatment programs emphasize abstinence as the only measure of success. A follow-up study of 63 pathological gamblers who had completed a one-week behavioral treatment program (from 2 to 9 years earlier) examined psychopathology as well as psychological indices of social functioning. Eighteen respondents classified themselves as abstinent (no episodes of gambling in the month immediately preceding interview and for the predominant portion of the post-treatment period), 25 as controlled (gambling in the absence... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 1(16) - Elevated Substance Use & Gambling Among Children of Problem Gamblers

Problem gambling has been shown to hold negative consequences for individuals related to the gambler. A study of 844 randomly selected 9th to 12th graders examined a variety of health indicators, including levels of substance use and gambling activity. Students who rated their parent(s) as having a compulsive gambling problem (n = 52) were contrasted with students who rated their parent(s) as having no gambling problem (n = 792). Children of problem gamblers reported higher levels of use for tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, with the exception of marijuana. In addition, children of problem gamblers reported being more involved in gambling... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 1(15) - Illegal Behavior Among Pathological Gamblers

One of the potential consequences of pathological gambling is financial distress, which can lead gamblers to attempt to recoup financial losses by means of illegal behavior. A study investigating the influence of pathological gambling on insurance problems and illegal behavior surveyed a sample (n = 241) of predominantly male (98%) pathological gamblers who attended Gamblers Anonymous meetings. These respondents had a median income of $27,850. Although this sample was not compared with a control group, the findings reveal that 47% of male pathological gamblers were involved in at least one form of insurance-related crime. The most common methods of insurance... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 1(14) - Compulsive Gambling Hotline Calls

As opportunities to gamble expand, problem gamblers increasingly have sought help. Many state Councils on Compulsive Gambling provide support services including education and treatment training programs. One of the services of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey is a toll-free 24-hour hotline. The pattern of hotline calls indicates that casino and lottery gambling lead the types of gambling for which callers seek help. In addition, the volume of calls has increased substantially in New Jersey and nationwide during the past three years. During 1995, 12% of callers to the New Jersey hotline were under the age of 21;... Read more →