The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

The WAGER, Vol. 1(26) - Determining the Relationship Between Gambling & Crime

Advocates and detractors of the gaming industry, public policy makers, researchers, and the public are among those who are interested in assessing the benefits and liabilities of gambling. One of the indicators of social costs is the effect of gambling on crime. Evaluating crime statistics involves inves­tigating and making decisions about 1) the change in the population at risk, 2) changes in criminal oppor­tunities, 3) changes in law enforcement resources & priorities, and 4) changes in the prevalence of crime elsewhere in the United States. For example, if a city increases their police personnel, it is likely that the incidence... Read more →

The WAGER Vol. 1(25) - Gambling Problems Among Those Seeking Help from Employee Assistance Programs

Problem gambling, like substance abuse, is responsible for absenteeism, lost productivity, accidents, and medical claims in the workplace. However, the consequences of problem gambling essen­tially have been ignored by business and industry, who have yet to recognize the importance of addiction to gambling as a cost issue. Little documentation exists on the prevalence of gambling problems within the workforce. A recent study1 surveyed a sample of 198 employee assistance program (EAP) profes­sionals. Seventy-nine replies were returned (40% response rate), but only 55 (28%) were usable. This study found that 3.6% of those employees who sought help from the EAP for... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 1(24) - Platelet MAO Activity Among Pathological Gamblers

Little is known about the biological correlates of pathological gambling. Pathological gambling is classified by the DSM-IV as an impulse control disorder (see The WAGER Volume 1, Issue 5). One biological phenomenon associated with impulse control disorders and risky behavior is low platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity. MAO is an enzyme that breaks down and inactivates neurotransmit­ters. A study of 27 male pathological gamblers attempted to find a biological correlate for the impulsivity of compulsive gambling. The study matched the gamblers by age, gender & tobacco consumption; these variables also are associated, or believed to be associated, with lower platelet... Read more →

The WAGER, Vol. 1(23) - Casino-related Deaths in Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1982-1986

During 1982-1986 a total of 398 casino-related deaths occurred in Atlantic City. Casino-related deaths were defined as “any sudden, unexpected, suspicious, violent, or traumatic death that (a) occurred on the premises of a casino, (b) involved an individual traveling to or from a casino, (c) occurred to a casino employee, or (d) occurred to an individual contracted to do work for a casino.” The primary cause of death was cardiovascular (82.7%), followed by multiple injuries (7.5%) and drug overdoses (2.8%). Eleven (2.8%) of the deaths were classified as suicidal, 5 (1.3%) as homicidal, and 52 (13.1%) of the deaths were... Read more →