The Brief Addiction Science Information Source (BASIS)

The WAGER Vol. 5(50) - Gambling and The Golden Years

Many Americans socialized during the Depression were unwilling to engage in gambling since they lacked the monetary means and feared the negative stigma once culturally associated with all forms of betting. Times have changed, however, as the youth of yesteryear’s Depression have become the seniors of today’s economic boom. Indeed, many seniors (i.e., aged sixty-five and older) have embraced gambling as a form of entertainment. These seniors use both disposable income and retirement time to gamble. However, some seniors have not fully embraced gambling. Research conducted by McNeilly and Burke (2000) shows the dissimilar profiles of these two groups. McNeilly... Read more →

The WAGER Vol. 5(49) - They Don't Eat Quiche, But They Like Dogfighting

Research suggests that in the southern region of the United States men widely subscribe to a traditional gender role that emphasizes masculinity in terms of aggressiveness, competitiveness and strength (Hurlbert & Bankston, 1998; O'Neil, 1982; Hantover, 1978). A study conducted by Evans, Gauthier and Forsyth (1998) argues that this masculinity is often associated with dogfighting, a highly competitive gambling sport illegal in all fifty states. More fittingly, within the context of gambling disorders, this research points to the importance that studies of cultural influence might play in helping to explain the emergence and maintenance of problem and pathological gambling. Data... Read more →

Op-Ed/Editorials - Governments Join War Against Card Counters

Professor I. Nelson Rose Whittier Law School Costa Mesa, CA. Law-makers around the world are beginning to agree with casino executives that drastic measures are needed to prevent skillful players from beating the game of blackjack. State legislatures, casino regulators, attorneys general and judges have let casinos impose special rules against card-counters which would have been unthinkable as recently as ten years ago. Examples can be found virtually everywhere blackjack is played for money. A case gaining worldwide attention has been pending in Australia for more than a year. On May 4, 1999 Andrew Scott "lodged a submission (in America... Read more →

The WAGER Vol. 5(48) - The Third-Person Effect

With the holiday season in full tilt, so too is the traveling season. This year as the holiday drive wears on, look carefully at the billboard advertisements you are passing and consider their impact on you and your passengers. Research conducted by Youn, Faber and Shah (2000) examined a model of mass communication called the Third-Person Effect and its possible connection to gambling advertising. In particular, they studied pro-censorship attitudes toward gambling. The Third-Person Effect contends that people perceive the power of a media message as having less effect on themselves and greater impact on others (Davison, 1983). In addition,... Read more →