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77 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, August 14, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 8, 2004 Gambling: When playing is an addiction By SARAH LEMON Mail Tribune Problems with playing poker have yet to catch the attention of state authorities, but officials are troubled by the game’s positive image. "They’re showing gambling as this socially acceptable, glamorous, safe form of entertainment," said Jeffrey Marotta, manager of the state’s problem-gambling services. Marotta likens the recent celebrity endorsement of gambling to Hollywood’s habit of glamorizing cigarette smoking. It’s only a matter of time before gambling also is seen as a dangerous habit, he said. "Poker and these various types of card games are really trendy right now and ‘Celebrity Poker’ is a prime example of that," he said. Advertisement Addiction to card games increased between 2002 and 2003 from 5.2 percent to 6 percent in problem gamblers seeking state-funded treatment, Marotta said. Although the slight jump is significant within a one-year period, state officials believe five or more years will pass before they see the fallout from the current fascination with poker. People who develop gambling-related problems go for an average of 4.7 years before seeking help, Marotta said. Video poker remains the game of choice for problem gamblers, comprising 72 percent of those seeking treatment, according to the state’s Problem Gambling Services 2003 report. Twelve percent of gambling addicts cite a preference for slot machines, found only at tribal casinos in Oregon. Problem gamblers seeking treatment who habitually played at these casinos increased by 58 percent in the past six years, Marotta said. Oregon studies estimate that 35,800 adult Oregonians are problem gamblers and an additional 23,000 are pathological gamblers, according to the Problem Gambling report. The state spent approximately $1.9 million within the past year on gambling treatment and $1.6 million on outreach and prevention. Any Oregon resident is eligible for 50 free hours of gambling treatment per year. In Jackson County, 53 people — slightly more than half are men — enrolled in treatment for gambling addiction between 2002 and 2003, said Roxann Jones, the county’s gambling outreach coordinator. The state’s problem gambling helpline took 141 calls from Jackson County residents and referred them to treatment, she added. Some Rogue Valley residents admit that the poker trend may be dangerous, but say setting limits is important. Carl McCracken, 27, of Sams Valley used to play poker for Oreo cookies while camping with his family as a kid. Now he plays in organized tournaments but said he usually holds himself to spending between 10 and 20 dollars. "I’ve seen some of my friends sign post-dated checks because they wanted more money for gambling," McCracken said. Marotta acknowledges that not all gambling turns into addiction, adding that many professional gamers suffer no financial, emotional or social handicaps. But only time will reveal the full effect of gambling’s mass appeal, he said. "Gambling is going to become such a large issue that it can’t go unnoticed." Warning signs of gambling addiction Preoccupied with gambling Bragging, particularly exaggerating wins and minimizing losses Borrowing money to gamble Restless when not gambling Frequent unexplained absences Missing work or school Lying about time spent or unpaid debts Chasing losses Jeopardizing family relationships or employment Doing something illegal to get money for gambling To get help, call the statewide Problem Gambling Helpline at 877-2 STOP NOW (877-278-6766). Source: Oregon Problem Gambling Services Reach reporter Sarah Lemon at 776-4487, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. 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