Eastern CT towns top list of problem gamblers

Eastern CT towns top list of problem gamblers
By Will Sokolic

NORWICH, Conn.—Norwich and New London lead the list of the top cities in the state that have a higher percentage of problem gamblers who called the state Helpline than would be expected based on their population, according to a Helpline report released by the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling.

Norwich and New London each had 4.8 times the number expected for their populations, a figure the report attributes to their proximity to two large casinos. East Hartford residents call 2.8 times more than expected, and Hartford residents called 1.6 times more than expected.

The report is based on calls received in 2008. The results focused on the 696 calls from Connecticut gamblers or gamblers' significant others. Of those, almost two-thirds of the calls came from the gamblers themselves.

At this point, the council has yet to compare data from year to year to discern any trends. But a number of findings stood out, Dr. Marvin Steinberg, executive director of the council, said.

Casino slots lead the way for game choice, followed by the lottery and blackjack.

"The myth used to be the lottery was not area of concern," Steinberg said. "Now people realize there is a problem. It's unfortunate the lottery has gotten a free ride because it's connected with the state government."

Among problem gamblers, 1.3 times as many males called the Helpline as females, while approximately two times as many female spouses or significant others called than males. There were also calls complaining about spouses and other significant others, but not seeking help in any way.

"It doesn't make sense. They have serious problems of their own stemming from the gambling issues. We've taken special pains to collect data from spouses and others," Steinberg said.

The report indicates many gamblers have not entered the treatment pipeline yet, saying 90 percent have never had an association with treatment of any kind or Gamblers Anonymous.

Other highlights include:

-- The majority of problem gamblers, both male and female, identified themselves as Caucasian. Blacks have a 1.4 times higher rate of problem gambling than would be expected based on black population in the state, while Latinos have a 1.6 times lower rate.

-- Service and management/professionals are the most prevalent occupations for male and female gamblers. But the prevalence of women in these occupations is more than one third higher than that of males. But the ratio of unemployed callers was almost three times that of the the general population.

-- Steinberg hopes the report will lead to improvements in the identification and treatment of problem gambling, especially through an increased publicity push in workplaces, banks, credit unions and through public service announcements.

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Information from: Norwich Bulletin, http://www.norwichbulletin.com