From Odds of addiction grow, with the availability of slots, the pattern of addiction, crime, bankruptcy, family destruction, expensive social costs repeats itself ---
According to Wiley Harwell, executive director of the Oklahoma Association for Problem and Compulsive Gambling:
"Proximity and availability are everything. For those who live within 50 miles of a casino, it's on the high side of the 1 to 3 percent."
"Slot machines produce a trancelike state. People lose track of time and space. Logic and reason shut down. The back of the brain lights up. They're literally not cognizant that they are spending more than they should."
In Oklahoma, slot machines are by far the most addictive form of gambling, accounting for 80 percent of the calls for help, he said.
Gambling addicts have higher than average incidences of depression, suicide, domestic violence and child endangerment, he said.
Most casinos have security guards that check parking lots hourly for children left in cars while their parents gamble.
Some problem gamblers write bad checks or commit other crimes to pay gambling debts.
Several embezzlement cases in Oklahoma have been linked to gambling.
[The Rev. Tom Grey] said the social costs of gambling greatly outweigh its tax benefits to governments.
He said studies show that counties with casinos have a 13.4 percent higher bankruptcy rate and an 8 percent higher crime rate than counties without casinos.
Oklahoma gambling facts
Fiscal year 2009 calls for help to Oklahoma Problem Gamblers Helpline: 912
Women callers: 492, or 54 percent
Most problematic form of gambling: slot machines — 65 percent
Average number of hours spent gambling per week: 10.3
Number of casinos in Oklahoma (2008): 110
Number of state tribes operating gaming facilities (2008): 32
Number of gaming machines in state (2008): 53,897
Total state indian gaming revenues (2008): $2.9 billion
Oklahoma Association for Problem and Compulsive Gambling
Casino City’s Indian Gaming Industry Report, 2009-2010 edition
According to Wiley Harwell, executive director of the Oklahoma Association for Problem and Compulsive Gambling:
"Proximity and availability are everything. For those who live within 50 miles of a casino, it's on the high side of the 1 to 3 percent."
"Slot machines produce a trancelike state. People lose track of time and space. Logic and reason shut down. The back of the brain lights up. They're literally not cognizant that they are spending more than they should."
In Oklahoma, slot machines are by far the most addictive form of gambling, accounting for 80 percent of the calls for help, he said.
Gambling addicts have higher than average incidences of depression, suicide, domestic violence and child endangerment, he said.
Most casinos have security guards that check parking lots hourly for children left in cars while their parents gamble.
Some problem gamblers write bad checks or commit other crimes to pay gambling debts.
Several embezzlement cases in Oklahoma have been linked to gambling.
[The Rev. Tom Grey] said the social costs of gambling greatly outweigh its tax benefits to governments.
He said studies show that counties with casinos have a 13.4 percent higher bankruptcy rate and an 8 percent higher crime rate than counties without casinos.
Oklahoma gambling facts
Fiscal year 2009 calls for help to Oklahoma Problem Gamblers Helpline: 912
Women callers: 492, or 54 percent
Most problematic form of gambling: slot machines — 65 percent
Average number of hours spent gambling per week: 10.3
Number of casinos in Oklahoma (2008): 110
Number of state tribes operating gaming facilities (2008): 32
Number of gaming machines in state (2008): 53,897
Total state indian gaming revenues (2008): $2.9 billion
Oklahoma Association for Problem and Compulsive Gambling
Casino City’s Indian Gaming Industry Report, 2009-2010 edition
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