casi-NO! casi-NO! casi-NO!
Last Monday residents were floored to hear the mayor request that everyone be "open-minded" about a casi-NO and then proceeded to go on and on about the advantages to having one! She did not present a balanced view by any stretch. She never once cited a single disadvantage to having a casi-NO in Collingwood, there is one or two....... This is not that approach a mayor is supposed to take; a mayor is to facilitate the discussion and ensure that all sides are heard, that the facts are on the table (most mayors don't even vote unless there is a tie vote). A mayor is to ensure that the council hears what their constituents have to say before they vote. After all they represent us right?
To add insult to injrury, the cao Ed Houghton delivered his sales pitch (it too was not balanced, which by the way is also the job of a conscientious public servant) and brought a developer and registered lobbyist up to be part of his sales pitch. Does it get worse.... yes. Residents had asked to depute on the subject and were denied, but the cao allowed his own deputations within his sales pitch. Oh and by the way, the references he cited in his memorandum were mostly from one website produced by managers of casi-NOs who promote gambling..... Residents once again feel robbed of due public process in Collingwood. They just don't get it.... they must think that we lack intelligence.
Further, Council is going to vote on the matter on Monday March 4th, 2013 and then have agreed to hear deputations after the fact on the 18th and 25th of March (huh???)
What can we do? Show up at Council this Monday March 4th at 5:00 p.m. to show that we want balanced information, the pros and the cons, a real economic impact study, public consultation, even a referendum on this issue. We want to ensure that we are represented.
These are the facts that would have provided balanced information of not just the pros but the cons (with credit to Dr. John Hamilton as part of his presentation in Wasaga Beach at a public meeting).
#1 Profit from Gambling
By 2004, the profit from gambling in Ontario had risen to $6.2 billion, more than the net profit to the Ontario government of tobacco and alcohol together ($5.9 billion).
“Out of the Shadows at Last” (2006) The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology - Transforming Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction Service in Canada- p. 210.
#2 Percentages
In Ontario, 4.8 per cent of adults (449,000 people) have moderate or severe gambling problems. An additional 9.6 per cent (860,000 people) are classified as “at-risk” for problem gambling.
Centre for Addictions and Mental Health: Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario,http://www.problemgambling.ca/EN/AboutGamblingandProblemGambling/Pages/FactsAboutProblemGambling.aspx
In 2010, studies which investigated the social impact and costs of casinos in the United States, found that the number of problem gamblers within 80km of a casino was double that of the general population.
Presentation by Paul Welsh, Executive Director Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services to the City of Ottawa, October 2, 2012, p.2
Sixty percent (60%) of slot machine revenue is derived from problem gamblers.
“Gambling Policy Framework” Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, August 2, 2011. p. 4
High school students gamble, 2-4 times higher than the rate of the general public, they will be the problem gamblers of tomorrow. From a health perspective, gambling remains hidden because of shame and stigma. Gambling problems will emerge in due course and in overwhelming numbers.
Social economic and health impacts are just beginning to emerge and must not be ignored or minimized, [ in Simcoe County]. Problem gambling is increasing in senior population (2005), 6.4% of seniors are at risk, .1% already gambling at problem levels. In all of Canada, there are only 12 specialized addiction treatment programs for seniors and only 1250 seniors are being treated.
“Out of the Shadows at Last” (2006) The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology - Transforming Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction Service in Canada- p. 210.
Ontario gambling problems involving slots’ activities outranked card games 2:1. In terms of all other forms of gambling activities which include: bingo, racing, lotteries, sports, scratch tickets, roulette, and other non-identified gambling activities, Slots outranked them between 18 and 28 times or a ratio of 56:2. By comparison, Leeds-Grenville County (Gananoque area), problem gambling involving slots, over a 10 year period, outranked any other gambling activity by more than 2:1.
Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline Database Graphs, January – December 2011.
The Connex Ontario Help line reported that in 2010 more than 2,000 people sought problem gambling services and that 65.4% of these callers had problems with slot machines.
“Gambling Policy Framework” Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, August 2, 2011, p. 4
#3 Social Effects
In a telephone interview on Wednesday October 3, 2012 with Nina Littman-Sharp, Manager-Problem Gambling Service- Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, she stated that every problem gambler affects 5-10 others. This includes family members and coworkers and fellow students. Other major factors include betrayal/loss of trust/losing all savings/kids future in jeopardy. As well, there are major debt loads: families are trapped and parents, siblings, and children are all tapped for money.
There is a direct link from addictions to gambling addictions and that three out of four Ontarian’s have experienced addiction issues within their social grouping. (family, work, etc.) In the CBC news article, Paul Welsh also stated that there will be more bankruptcies, more crime, more family dysfunction, more suicides, … because they go hand in hand with more gambling.
“Addiction Experts Concerned About Ottawa Casino Plan”- September 25, 2012
“The effect of gambling addictions likely touch between 4.1 million and 8.28 million Canadians.”
“Government: Gambling’s Biggest Addict: Profligate Spending Feeds Government Gambling Addiction”,Institute of Marriage and Family Canada, March 2012. p.4
44% of severe problem gamblers reported that their gambling led to their involvement in crime. “Review of problem gambling and co‐morbid disorders and behaviours”.
Final grant report prepared for the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre. Turner, N.E. & Ferentzy, P. (2012).
#4 Economic Results of a Casino
Where casinos are located, they have typically been used for economic and physical development projects, rather than for human services.
“The Social Impact of Casinos: Literature Review and Cost Estimates”, Community Research Partners,January 21, 2010. p. 2
Paul Welsh, from Rideauwood, accentuated that there is a slight increase in revenue for stores within 1 km of a casino, i.e. a convenience store; however, within the next 10 kms there is a visible revenue drop in the area. This trend is especially evident in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Prior to the opening of the casino in 1977, there were 242 restaurants and bars. In 1996, however, assessment discovered that the number had declined to 142.
This example is from “Social Impact of Casinos: Literature Review and Cost Estimates”, Community Research Partners, January 21, 2010. P.5
Increased employment rates are often cited as economic benefits to gambling expansion. However, “by promoting gambling as an economic development tool to create jobs, governments ignore the evidence that it closes local businesses and decreases revenue in other areas.” “Problem Gambling in Canada” Oxford University Press. Toronto: Canada Tepperman, L.& Wanner,K. (2012)
“Colin S. Campell, a criminology professor in British Columbia, argues that …. It is increasingly suspect that rather than apprehending ‘revenue leakage’ to nearby jurisdictions that permit legal gambling, the availability of local gambling, particularly in the form of urban casinos, may actually encourage an outflow of money from the local community.”
“Government-Gambling’s Biggest Addict: Profligate Spending Feeds Government Gambling Addiction”, Institute of Marriage and Family Canada, March 2012. p.5,6
The staggering financial costs to individuals and the families of those who engage in excessive gambling are only part of the costs associated with problem gambling. Many societal costs, stemming from job loss, unemployment, bankruptcy, lost productivity through poor physical and mental health, and family breakdown, also have financial costs associated with them. There is also a great mental and emotional toll that is paid by those afflicted by problem gambling. It is important when considering the creation of a new casino to bear these costs in mind and plan for how best to mitigate the potential damages to both individuals and community. “Presentation by Paul Welsh, Executive Director Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services to the City of Ottawa”, October 2, 2012, p.3
During a phone interview, on Wednesday Oct 10 2012, with Mr. Jake Pastore, Manager for Government Relationship, OLG, we discussed wages of employees in casinos. He told me that currently, the government of Ontario receives $2 billion in casino revenue. In the next 4-5 years, the Ontario government expects to put $3.7 billion into their revenue stream from casinos. Since $1 billion yearly is needed to maintain the infrastructure of current casinos, the government is looking for ways to privatize casinos. This includes 5 new locations in Ontario. The Ontario government is preparing to open up these casinos to international investors. Also, of all the casino workers, the current 6,000 workers in government run casinos, who are currently provincial employees, will be moved into the private sector and would be removed from government pension plans if the casinos are privatized.
Paul Welsh- stated that gambling revenues are really gambling losses. In the casino everything is a loss (the outflow does not equal the winnings in total).
Research abounds which show that an inordinately large proportion of casino profits come from a very small proportion of problem gamblers. It is not necessarily in the business’ best interest for casinos to enforce exclusions. Self-exclusion does not work since casinos get this money from the problem gamblers. At a minimum, 30% of casino revenues (gambling losses) appear to come from problem gamblers. It is not necessarily in the business’ best interests for casinos to enforce exclusions.
“Presentation by Paul Welsh, Executive Director Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services to the City of Ottawa”, October 2, 2012, p.2
#5 Suicides
The Canadian Safety Council, an independent advocacy group, believes that more than 200 compulsive gamblers alone take their lives each year in Canada. The year 2006 is the last year for which complete information is available in Ontario for suicides related to gambling.
“Gambling Addict’s Suicide: A ‘Wake-Up’ Call”, CBC Investigation into Suicides in Canada, September 22, 2011
“Suicide attempts among pathological gamblers are higher than for any of the addictions and second only to suicide attempt rates among individuals with major affective disorders, schizophrenia, and a few major hereditary disorders.” Dr. Rachel A. Volberg, President of Gemini Research Limited. “Problem Players a Growing Trend, Experts Contend,” Eric Newhouse, Great Falls Tribune (Great Falls, MT), July 31, 2002, p. 1A
Based on a review of previously published studies, on average, 37.9% of the problem gamblers reported suicidal thoughts, on average, 20.5% of them reported attempting suicide.
”Review of problem gambling and co‐morbid disorders and behaviours”. Final grant report prepared for the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre. Turner, N.E. & Ferentzy, P. (2012).
In Gulfport, Mississippi, suicides increased by 213 percent (from 24 to 75) in the first two years after casinos arrived. In neighboring Biloxi, suicide attempts jumped by 1,000 percent (from 6 to 66) in the first year alone..,
“The House Never Loses and Maryland Cannot Win: Why Casino Gaming Is a Bad Idea,” (Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr, Report on the Impact of Casino Gaming on Crime, October 16, 1995, p. 7
The National Council on Problem Gambling, citing various studies, reports that one in five pathological gamblers attempts suicide.., “The Need for a National Policy on Problem and Pathological Gambling in America,”National Council on Problem Gambling, Inc, November 1, 1993, p. 7
1 of 10 spouses of pathological gamblers will attempt suicide.
“When Luck Runs Out: Help for Compulsive Gamblers and Their Families”, New York: Facts on File, Custer and Milt, 1985 p. 145
According to a survey, approximately 26% of Ontario students with gambling problems reported seriously considering suicide during the past year compared to about 9.5% of the entire sample who reported seriously considering suicide. 25% of Ontario students with problem gambling issues reported a suicide attempt of a survey compared to 2.8% overall who reported attempting suicide.
“Ontario youth gambling report: Data from the 2009 Ontario student drug use and health survey”. (2010) Report prepared for the Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario Cook, S., Turner, N., Paglia‐Boak, A., Adlaf, E.M. & Mann, R.E.
#6 Bankruptcies
Bankruptcies: SMR Research Corporation called gambling “the single fastest growing driver of bankruptcy”. The SMR Research Corporation, “The Personal Bankruptcy Crisis, 1997: Demographics, Causes, Implications, & Solutions,” Hackettstown, N.J., 1997, p. 116-130
Problem Gamblers “have a declared bankruptcy rate at significantly elevated levels: 19.2% vs. 5.5%for low risk gamblers, and 4.2% for non-gamblers” “Gambling with Our Future? The Costs and Benefits of Legalized Gambling”, The Fraser Institute Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, pp. 60, 62.
Gambling related bankruptcies in Metro Detroit increased by as much as 40 fold within a year and a half of the opening of Casino Windsor, just across the Detroit River, according to local bankruptcy attorneys.
“Gambling Bankruptcies Soar”, Ron French, Detroit News, December 3, 1995
Paul Welsh, from Rideauwood, stated during a telephone conversation that the idea about “Gamble within your limits” is a myth. Gambling has no ceiling except for bankruptcy.
#7 Counselling Available
In the 2010-2011 the Ontario government allocated $52.1 million toward treatment, education,prevention and research (OLG 2012) yet $265 million was spent to “promote gambling consumption”(Smith, 2009) and others point to an OLG advertising budget in excess of $570 million, which excludes the budgets of the three provincial commercial casinos.(Smith, West, & Simpson, 2007)
“Where the money goes. OLG Gives Back” Ontario Lottery and Gaming (2012).
“Accountability and Social Responsibility in Ontario’s Legal Gambling Regime”.
Final report to Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre, Smith, G. November 16, 2009.
“Prevention of problem gambling: A comprehensive review of the evidence”.
Report prepared for the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Williams, R.J., West, B. & Simpson, R.I. August, 1, 2007
Paul Welsh stated in our phone conversation that he is not aware of any certified gambling counsellors or treatments centres in the Georgian Triangle. Treatment funding is frozen at a 1999 level. The result is that treatment facilities all over Ontario have to shorten or thin out their programs and in a number of cases have laid off counsellors for problem gamblers.
There is no organized focus for actual gambling treatment facilities in Ontario. Karen Maloney, researcher at Rideauwood, Ottawa, told me in a telephone interview on October 12, 2012, that there are 4 addiction treatment facilities in Ottawa who have individual staff members to take on clients with gambling related issues. Rideauwood’s problem gambling clients are unable to pay for counselling services because they have lost their life savings and cannot afford the counselling. Rideauwood must do fundraising to assist these people because there is no government funding.
Latest gambling survey conducted by the Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services, Ottawa, reported on October 2, 2012 data on 514 clients, representing 145 females, 342 males, men lost an average of $3000 a month, women lost an average of $1300 per month in the 6 months prior to treatment. Minimum annual loss average is $22,000 per client. The vast majority of clients have these patterns for years before they seek professional help. “Presentation by Paul Welsh, Executive Director Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services to the City of Ottawa”, October 2, 2012, p.3
Paul Welsh, Executive Director of Rideauwood stated in a telephone conversation with me on October 2, 2012 that gambling losses occur before people go for treatment. Treatment steps in after the catastrophe hits. Gambling treatment cannot be seen as a cure, it simply keeps people from committing suicide. He asked me: Will your community take action before the catastrophe strikes? Will your municipal leaders have the foresight to have a treatment plan in place before a casino arrives?
“I’m particularly concerned both how a casino venue would lead to relapse amongst those people…who had gambling problems in the past…Gambling alters the way the reward system works and this is a fairly permanent change in the brain, so that relapse is quite common.”
“Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Submission to the Toronto City Council Executive Committee” Dr. Nigel Turner, Independent Scientist, May 14, 2012
To add insult to injrury, the cao Ed Houghton delivered his sales pitch (it too was not balanced, which by the way is also the job of a conscientious public servant) and brought a developer and registered lobbyist up to be part of his sales pitch. Does it get worse.... yes. Residents had asked to depute on the subject and were denied, but the cao allowed his own deputations within his sales pitch. Oh and by the way, the references he cited in his memorandum were mostly from one website produced by managers of casi-NOs who promote gambling..... Residents once again feel robbed of due public process in Collingwood. They just don't get it.... they must think that we lack intelligence.
Further, Council is going to vote on the matter on Monday March 4th, 2013 and then have agreed to hear deputations after the fact on the 18th and 25th of March (huh???)
What can we do? Show up at Council this Monday March 4th at 5:00 p.m. to show that we want balanced information, the pros and the cons, a real economic impact study, public consultation, even a referendum on this issue. We want to ensure that we are represented.
These are the facts that would have provided balanced information of not just the pros but the cons (with credit to Dr. John Hamilton as part of his presentation in Wasaga Beach at a public meeting).
#1 Profit from Gambling
By 2004, the profit from gambling in Ontario had risen to $6.2 billion, more than the net profit to the Ontario government of tobacco and alcohol together ($5.9 billion).
“Out of the Shadows at Last” (2006) The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology - Transforming Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction Service in Canada- p. 210.
#2 Percentages
In Ontario, 4.8 per cent of adults (449,000 people) have moderate or severe gambling problems. An additional 9.6 per cent (860,000 people) are classified as “at-risk” for problem gambling.
Centre for Addictions and Mental Health: Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario,http://www.problemgambling.ca/EN/AboutGamblingandProblemGambling/Pages/FactsAboutProblemGambling.aspx
In 2010, studies which investigated the social impact and costs of casinos in the United States, found that the number of problem gamblers within 80km of a casino was double that of the general population.
Presentation by Paul Welsh, Executive Director Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services to the City of Ottawa, October 2, 2012, p.2
Sixty percent (60%) of slot machine revenue is derived from problem gamblers.
“Gambling Policy Framework” Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, August 2, 2011. p. 4
High school students gamble, 2-4 times higher than the rate of the general public, they will be the problem gamblers of tomorrow. From a health perspective, gambling remains hidden because of shame and stigma. Gambling problems will emerge in due course and in overwhelming numbers.
Social economic and health impacts are just beginning to emerge and must not be ignored or minimized, [ in Simcoe County]. Problem gambling is increasing in senior population (2005), 6.4% of seniors are at risk, .1% already gambling at problem levels. In all of Canada, there are only 12 specialized addiction treatment programs for seniors and only 1250 seniors are being treated.
“Out of the Shadows at Last” (2006) The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology - Transforming Mental Health, Mental Illness and Addiction Service in Canada- p. 210.
Ontario gambling problems involving slots’ activities outranked card games 2:1. In terms of all other forms of gambling activities which include: bingo, racing, lotteries, sports, scratch tickets, roulette, and other non-identified gambling activities, Slots outranked them between 18 and 28 times or a ratio of 56:2. By comparison, Leeds-Grenville County (Gananoque area), problem gambling involving slots, over a 10 year period, outranked any other gambling activity by more than 2:1.
Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline Database Graphs, January – December 2011.
The Connex Ontario Help line reported that in 2010 more than 2,000 people sought problem gambling services and that 65.4% of these callers had problems with slot machines.
“Gambling Policy Framework” Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, August 2, 2011, p. 4
#3 Social Effects
In a telephone interview on Wednesday October 3, 2012 with Nina Littman-Sharp, Manager-Problem Gambling Service- Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, she stated that every problem gambler affects 5-10 others. This includes family members and coworkers and fellow students. Other major factors include betrayal/loss of trust/losing all savings/kids future in jeopardy. As well, there are major debt loads: families are trapped and parents, siblings, and children are all tapped for money.
There is a direct link from addictions to gambling addictions and that three out of four Ontarian’s have experienced addiction issues within their social grouping. (family, work, etc.) In the CBC news article, Paul Welsh also stated that there will be more bankruptcies, more crime, more family dysfunction, more suicides, … because they go hand in hand with more gambling.
“Addiction Experts Concerned About Ottawa Casino Plan”- September 25, 2012
“The effect of gambling addictions likely touch between 4.1 million and 8.28 million Canadians.”
“Government: Gambling’s Biggest Addict: Profligate Spending Feeds Government Gambling Addiction”,Institute of Marriage and Family Canada, March 2012. p.4
44% of severe problem gamblers reported that their gambling led to their involvement in crime. “Review of problem gambling and co‐morbid disorders and behaviours”.
Final grant report prepared for the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre. Turner, N.E. & Ferentzy, P. (2012).
#4 Economic Results of a Casino
Where casinos are located, they have typically been used for economic and physical development projects, rather than for human services.
“The Social Impact of Casinos: Literature Review and Cost Estimates”, Community Research Partners,January 21, 2010. p. 2
Paul Welsh, from Rideauwood, accentuated that there is a slight increase in revenue for stores within 1 km of a casino, i.e. a convenience store; however, within the next 10 kms there is a visible revenue drop in the area. This trend is especially evident in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Prior to the opening of the casino in 1977, there were 242 restaurants and bars. In 1996, however, assessment discovered that the number had declined to 142.
This example is from “Social Impact of Casinos: Literature Review and Cost Estimates”, Community Research Partners, January 21, 2010. P.5
Increased employment rates are often cited as economic benefits to gambling expansion. However, “by promoting gambling as an economic development tool to create jobs, governments ignore the evidence that it closes local businesses and decreases revenue in other areas.” “Problem Gambling in Canada” Oxford University Press. Toronto: Canada Tepperman, L.& Wanner,K. (2012)
“Colin S. Campell, a criminology professor in British Columbia, argues that …. It is increasingly suspect that rather than apprehending ‘revenue leakage’ to nearby jurisdictions that permit legal gambling, the availability of local gambling, particularly in the form of urban casinos, may actually encourage an outflow of money from the local community.”
“Government-Gambling’s Biggest Addict: Profligate Spending Feeds Government Gambling Addiction”, Institute of Marriage and Family Canada, March 2012. p.5,6
The staggering financial costs to individuals and the families of those who engage in excessive gambling are only part of the costs associated with problem gambling. Many societal costs, stemming from job loss, unemployment, bankruptcy, lost productivity through poor physical and mental health, and family breakdown, also have financial costs associated with them. There is also a great mental and emotional toll that is paid by those afflicted by problem gambling. It is important when considering the creation of a new casino to bear these costs in mind and plan for how best to mitigate the potential damages to both individuals and community. “Presentation by Paul Welsh, Executive Director Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services to the City of Ottawa”, October 2, 2012, p.3
During a phone interview, on Wednesday Oct 10 2012, with Mr. Jake Pastore, Manager for Government Relationship, OLG, we discussed wages of employees in casinos. He told me that currently, the government of Ontario receives $2 billion in casino revenue. In the next 4-5 years, the Ontario government expects to put $3.7 billion into their revenue stream from casinos. Since $1 billion yearly is needed to maintain the infrastructure of current casinos, the government is looking for ways to privatize casinos. This includes 5 new locations in Ontario. The Ontario government is preparing to open up these casinos to international investors. Also, of all the casino workers, the current 6,000 workers in government run casinos, who are currently provincial employees, will be moved into the private sector and would be removed from government pension plans if the casinos are privatized.
Paul Welsh- stated that gambling revenues are really gambling losses. In the casino everything is a loss (the outflow does not equal the winnings in total).
Research abounds which show that an inordinately large proportion of casino profits come from a very small proportion of problem gamblers. It is not necessarily in the business’ best interest for casinos to enforce exclusions. Self-exclusion does not work since casinos get this money from the problem gamblers. At a minimum, 30% of casino revenues (gambling losses) appear to come from problem gamblers. It is not necessarily in the business’ best interests for casinos to enforce exclusions.
“Presentation by Paul Welsh, Executive Director Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services to the City of Ottawa”, October 2, 2012, p.2
#5 Suicides
The Canadian Safety Council, an independent advocacy group, believes that more than 200 compulsive gamblers alone take their lives each year in Canada. The year 2006 is the last year for which complete information is available in Ontario for suicides related to gambling.
“Gambling Addict’s Suicide: A ‘Wake-Up’ Call”, CBC Investigation into Suicides in Canada, September 22, 2011
“Suicide attempts among pathological gamblers are higher than for any of the addictions and second only to suicide attempt rates among individuals with major affective disorders, schizophrenia, and a few major hereditary disorders.” Dr. Rachel A. Volberg, President of Gemini Research Limited. “Problem Players a Growing Trend, Experts Contend,” Eric Newhouse, Great Falls Tribune (Great Falls, MT), July 31, 2002, p. 1A
Based on a review of previously published studies, on average, 37.9% of the problem gamblers reported suicidal thoughts, on average, 20.5% of them reported attempting suicide.
”Review of problem gambling and co‐morbid disorders and behaviours”. Final grant report prepared for the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre. Turner, N.E. & Ferentzy, P. (2012).
In Gulfport, Mississippi, suicides increased by 213 percent (from 24 to 75) in the first two years after casinos arrived. In neighboring Biloxi, suicide attempts jumped by 1,000 percent (from 6 to 66) in the first year alone..,
“The House Never Loses and Maryland Cannot Win: Why Casino Gaming Is a Bad Idea,” (Attorney General J. Joseph Curran, Jr, Report on the Impact of Casino Gaming on Crime, October 16, 1995, p. 7
The National Council on Problem Gambling, citing various studies, reports that one in five pathological gamblers attempts suicide.., “The Need for a National Policy on Problem and Pathological Gambling in America,”National Council on Problem Gambling, Inc, November 1, 1993, p. 7
1 of 10 spouses of pathological gamblers will attempt suicide.
“When Luck Runs Out: Help for Compulsive Gamblers and Their Families”, New York: Facts on File, Custer and Milt, 1985 p. 145
According to a survey, approximately 26% of Ontario students with gambling problems reported seriously considering suicide during the past year compared to about 9.5% of the entire sample who reported seriously considering suicide. 25% of Ontario students with problem gambling issues reported a suicide attempt of a survey compared to 2.8% overall who reported attempting suicide.
“Ontario youth gambling report: Data from the 2009 Ontario student drug use and health survey”. (2010) Report prepared for the Problem Gambling Institute of Ontario Cook, S., Turner, N., Paglia‐Boak, A., Adlaf, E.M. & Mann, R.E.
#6 Bankruptcies
Bankruptcies: SMR Research Corporation called gambling “the single fastest growing driver of bankruptcy”. The SMR Research Corporation, “The Personal Bankruptcy Crisis, 1997: Demographics, Causes, Implications, & Solutions,” Hackettstown, N.J., 1997, p. 116-130
Problem Gamblers “have a declared bankruptcy rate at significantly elevated levels: 19.2% vs. 5.5%for low risk gamblers, and 4.2% for non-gamblers” “Gambling with Our Future? The Costs and Benefits of Legalized Gambling”, The Fraser Institute Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, pp. 60, 62.
Gambling related bankruptcies in Metro Detroit increased by as much as 40 fold within a year and a half of the opening of Casino Windsor, just across the Detroit River, according to local bankruptcy attorneys.
“Gambling Bankruptcies Soar”, Ron French, Detroit News, December 3, 1995
Paul Welsh, from Rideauwood, stated during a telephone conversation that the idea about “Gamble within your limits” is a myth. Gambling has no ceiling except for bankruptcy.
#7 Counselling Available
In the 2010-2011 the Ontario government allocated $52.1 million toward treatment, education,prevention and research (OLG 2012) yet $265 million was spent to “promote gambling consumption”(Smith, 2009) and others point to an OLG advertising budget in excess of $570 million, which excludes the budgets of the three provincial commercial casinos.(Smith, West, & Simpson, 2007)
“Where the money goes. OLG Gives Back” Ontario Lottery and Gaming (2012).
“Accountability and Social Responsibility in Ontario’s Legal Gambling Regime”.
Final report to Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre, Smith, G. November 16, 2009.
“Prevention of problem gambling: A comprehensive review of the evidence”.
Report prepared for the Ontario Problem Gambling Research Centre, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Williams, R.J., West, B. & Simpson, R.I. August, 1, 2007
Paul Welsh stated in our phone conversation that he is not aware of any certified gambling counsellors or treatments centres in the Georgian Triangle. Treatment funding is frozen at a 1999 level. The result is that treatment facilities all over Ontario have to shorten or thin out their programs and in a number of cases have laid off counsellors for problem gamblers.
There is no organized focus for actual gambling treatment facilities in Ontario. Karen Maloney, researcher at Rideauwood, Ottawa, told me in a telephone interview on October 12, 2012, that there are 4 addiction treatment facilities in Ottawa who have individual staff members to take on clients with gambling related issues. Rideauwood’s problem gambling clients are unable to pay for counselling services because they have lost their life savings and cannot afford the counselling. Rideauwood must do fundraising to assist these people because there is no government funding.
Latest gambling survey conducted by the Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services, Ottawa, reported on October 2, 2012 data on 514 clients, representing 145 females, 342 males, men lost an average of $3000 a month, women lost an average of $1300 per month in the 6 months prior to treatment. Minimum annual loss average is $22,000 per client. The vast majority of clients have these patterns for years before they seek professional help. “Presentation by Paul Welsh, Executive Director Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services to the City of Ottawa”, October 2, 2012, p.3
Paul Welsh, Executive Director of Rideauwood stated in a telephone conversation with me on October 2, 2012 that gambling losses occur before people go for treatment. Treatment steps in after the catastrophe hits. Gambling treatment cannot be seen as a cure, it simply keeps people from committing suicide. He asked me: Will your community take action before the catastrophe strikes? Will your municipal leaders have the foresight to have a treatment plan in place before a casino arrives?
“I’m particularly concerned both how a casino venue would lead to relapse amongst those people…who had gambling problems in the past…Gambling alters the way the reward system works and this is a fairly permanent change in the brain, so that relapse is quite common.”
“Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Submission to the Toronto City Council Executive Committee” Dr. Nigel Turner, Independent Scientist, May 14, 2012