Gambling
gambling; pokies; betting; bet; scratchy; bingo; keno; track; horse; dogs; money; finances; debt; funds; wage; pay; problem; gamble; odds; sport; card; casino; lotto; lottery;
Contents
When people think of gambling they often picture men at the racetrack, or in a back room playing poker. But gambling comes in many forms, and young people get involved in many of them. Importantly, most research suggests that problem gambling begins in adolescence!
Types of gambling
It is illegal for young people under 18 to gamble in South Australia. But there are forms of gambling that are seen as more socially acceptable and therefore more likely to involve young people. Gambling can include:
- sport betting
- betting machines, like pokies
- casino gambling
- card gambling.
Other forms of gambling that are seen as more socially acceptable include:
- scratchy cards
- bingo
- lottery
- keno
- betting with friends in games or about the outcomes of some event.
Scratchy cards and lottery tickets are often seen as more acceptable because they are sold in newsagents. Parents sometimes buy young people and children scratchy cards, and the lottery is often endorsed by celebrities or is attached to charity organisations. But they can easily become areas of 'problem gambling' themselves.
Problem gambling
The signs that someone has problem gambling include:
- gambling to escape bad feelings - anxiety, loneliness, depression, sadness and grief
- gambling to cope with problems
- lying to family and friends to hide gambling
- relationship breakdown
- borrowing money to gamble or pay back debts
- feeling stressed during and after gambling
- feeling irritable when trying to cut down on gambling
- financial problems
- getting involved in crime to fund gambling.
What are the odds?
Odds of winning depend on many factors - these odds are estimates from various sources.
- Lotto – 1 in 10 million
- Top prize on a scratchy – 1 in 300,000
- Pokies – you will lose $1.50 for every $10 you bet
- Chance of being hit by lighting – 1 in 240,000. Hey, that's not bad odds, much better than the lotto.
Strategies to control gambling
- Pay your bills, rent, and buy food before deciding to gamble.
- Look at other activities as a substitute. Check out our topic Exercise for some ideas.
- Only gamble with your own money.
- Plan your gambling before you leave the house. For example, set limits on the amounts of time and money you will spend.
- Keep a weekly record of your wins and losses.
- Do not take an ATM card to access extra money.
- Don't drink or use drugs when gambling.
- Don't gamble when upset.
- Discuss in confidence your situation with someone who knows about gambling problems (see Resources, below)
- Some ideas that have worked for others...
- Always eat before gambling, particularly breakfast, as this will help you to think more clearly.
- Reduce your intake of caffeine (coffee, tea, soft drinks) if you are not sleeping well.
- Do not drink alcoholic drinks while you gamble.
- Tell someone who cares for you if you are feeling particularly stressed, unhappy or upset.
- Talk to your doctor.
- Don't feel ashamed about getting help from a professional who has a good understanding of gambling and the problems that may come with it.
Resources
South Australia
- Department for Families and Communities.
Problem Gambling web site:
http://www.problemgambling.sa.gov.au/
- The Gambling Helpline - Tel: 1800 060 757
A free 24 hour counselling information and referral service to assist people with gambling related problems, or those affected by the gambling of others including family members. The Gambling Helpline can be used by anyone who would like to know more about gambling related problems and how to deal with them.
http://www.relationships.com.au/problem_gamb/sa.asp
- Break Even Gambling Services - Tel: 8223 4566
Break Even Services provide free, confidential counselling and assistance for people who are concerned about their gambling behaviour and for the families and friends of problem gamblers. Counselling is provided over the telephone and in person and specific financial counselling is also available. Languages other than English are spoken and some services and interpreter assistance can be arranged.
- The Second Story Youth Health Service (TSS)
- Central: 57 Hyde St, Adelaide
- South: 50a Beach Rd, Christies Beach
- North: 6 Gillingham Rd, Elizabeth
Contact TSS via the Youth Health line on 1300 13 17 19,
or for mobile phone callers (08) 8303 1691 - normal rates apply.
Regional areas
- UnitingCare Wesley - Port Pirie - Tel: (08) 8633 8638
- Centacare Whyalla - Tel: (08) 8645 8233
- Centacare Port Lincoln - Tel: (08) 8683 0733
- Centacare Port Augusta - Tel: (08) 8641 2379
- Centacare Ceduna - Tel: (08) 8625 3810
- Lifeline South East (Mount Gambier) - Tel: (08) 8723 2299
- Relationships Australia (SA) - Riverland and Murraylands - Tel: 1800 182 325
Statewide
- Intensive Therapy Service for Problem Gamblers (Flinders Medical Centre) - Tel: (08) 8204 4779
- Nunkuwarrin Yunti (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service) - Tel: (08) 8223 5217
- Overseas Chinese Association - Tel: (08) 8445 1677
- Vietnamese Community in Australia - Tel: (08) 8447 8821
- Cambodian Australian Association - Tel: (08) 8281 9811
- Relationships Australia (SA) (PEACE) - services for a range of cultures and languages – Tel: (08) 8245 8100
Australia
General
- Youth bet is an interactive site from Canada designed to teach young people about gambling related harm. Some of the information is related to Canada, but much of it is good information for any young person wanting to know about gambling and how to avoid problem gambling:
http://www.youthbet.net/index2.php#
- To search for a helpline in your state check out Helplines Australia.
Department for Families and Communities, South Australia. Gambling Research and Information:
http://www.familiesandcommunities.sa.gov.au/
References
'Concern in SA - Gambling'. Youth Studies Australia, June 2004; 23 (2), p4.
Relationships Australia. 'Problem gambling info pack'. November 2004.
Wood R and Griffiths M. 'Adolescent lottery and scratchcard players: do their attitudes influence their gambling behaviour?' Journal of Adolescence, April 2004.
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).