Website: Charity teaches teens to gamble sensibly

“A new charity has been set up to help teenagers learn to gamble responsibly and avoid addiction, after gambling laws changed on September 1.

Gamble Aware will provide advice on gambling and operators will have to include its website www.gambleaware.co.uk in any advertising, as part of their commitment to responsible gambling.

Study: Gamblers have higher hopes (Australia)

“PROBLEM gamblers have a higher and more enduring hope of winning than other people, a new study shows.

The research, by the University of Western Sydney, reveals persistent high hope clouds the judgment of problem gamblers and leads to the impairment of self-control.

School of Psychology PhD graduate Dr Morten Boyer said an inherent characteristic of gambling was that despite the vary small chance of winning, there was always a chance.

“For problem gamblers, the perpetual, albeit small chance of winning translates into a high level of hope which makes it seem irrational to stop feeding money into the machine,” Dr Boyer said.”

NEWS.com.au (08/15/07)

PokerStars Achieve Official Certification from GamCare UK

“GamCare is a registered charity that provides advice and help in addressing the social impact of gambling in the UK. GamCare spokesman Andrew Poole said:

“In achieving GamCare Certification, PokerStars have attained the highest standards in player protection and have demonstrated that they genuinely recognise the need to assist their customers in playing responsibly. We look forward to working with PokerStars in the future and in continuing to share their commitment to responsible gambling.”

Demographics: The Online Gambler

“Jay Koeller’s wife, Judy, is the woman of many men’s fantasies: she encouraged her husband to take up poker. After watching a winner pocket $1 million on a TV tournament five years ago, “she said, ‘You can do that,’ ” says Koeller, 63. “So little by little, I started learning poker, and I found I was good at it.”

Good enough that last year the Melbourne, Fla., resident took the $14,700 second-place money in a tournament—an online tournament, that is.

Technology: GA going online to help gamblers

“Gamblers Anonymous in Scotland is stepping into the virtual world to extend its reach even further in the nation. It is planning to purchase VOIP phones that will allow members in remote areas to phone in for sessions via the Internet.

Research: Addictions for the Internet generation

“UCLA Gambling Studies Program plans a survey to gather information about students’ possibly excessive online gambling and gaming habits

As endless hours in front of a screen go by, more and more people may be getting sucked into the personality and life of the character they are playing in a video game, or of the faceless gambler in an online casino, betting from the comforts of their own home.

Research: Teach youths about risks of excessive gambling

“International studies show youths are two to four times more susceptible to problem gambling compared to adults.

And since many tend to start at about nine or ten years old, experts say it is important to educate them about the dangers of excessive gambling, before it is too late.

This is one key focus at a two-day Problem Gambling Conference which started on Thursday.

Besides teaching them about the pitfalls, youths must also know where to seek help.”

Channel NewsAsia (07/04/07)

Treatment: Gambling behavior dictates treatment for addicts (Towanda, PA)

“There is no treatment standard,” said Christine Reilly, executive director of Harvard Medical School’s Institute for Research on Pathological Gambling and Related Disorders.

“We need to do more research on treatment outcomes,” added Ms. Reilly — something which hasn’t necessarily kept pace with the explosion of commercial gambling over the past decade.

In truth, some gamblers may benefit from certain types of medication, she said, others from conventional “talk,” or cognitive behavioral therapy; still others may profit from a combination of the two — a “cocktail” of treatment options, she explained.

The exact mix will depend on the individual’s needs, which makes a thorough initial assessment essential.

“It’s all based on the person’s behavior, and how they report that behavior,” she said.”

Times Shamrock (07/03/07)

News: Surprise Testimony at Online Gambling Bill Hearing – Two Witnesses With Ties to Problem Gambling Support Bill

“A hearing concerning a bill that would tax and regulate online gambling took place today for the benefit of the House Financial Services Committee. The Committee controls the fate of Rep. Barney Frank’s Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act of 2007, which was introduced in April.

The most compelling testimony in favor of legalizing online gambling didn’t come from the mouths of members of the online gambling industry, but from those who deal with problem gamblers everyday.

Both Andrew Poole, of Online Services for GamCare, a charitable organization that addresses the social impact of gambling, and Keith Whyte, Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, pointed out how the proposed legislation would provide protection for both minors and problem gamblers.”

CardPlayer (06/08/07)

Treatment: PGCB’s Self-Exclusion List Helping Many In PA With Gambling Problems (PA)

“More than 50 persons have requested to take advantage of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s new Self-Exclusion Program. Since the introduction of the Self-Exclusion Program late last year, 52 people with gambling problems have voluntarily requested to be excluded from all gaming activities at all licensed facilities within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for one year, five years or a lifetime…”

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (05/21/07)

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board’s new Self-Exclusion Program