Presenter: Julie Hynes, MA, CPS. Four Directions: Tree of Healing Conference, October 2, 2013 www.preventionlane.org

1. Julie Hynes, MA, CPS
Four Directions: Tree of Healing
October 2, 2013
GAM ING

2.  Identify several recent trends and
technological issues related to gambling and
social gaming
 Identify strategies for using technology and
keeping youth safe
 Share in your own settings

3. www.preventionlane.org/4directions

4. Some content here could
present as a “trigger.”
If you feel yourself starting
to be triggered, please feel
free to excuse yourself or do
whatever you need to do to
feel safe.

5.  They both stimulate dopamine
 People play for similar reasons (escape, relax,
stimulate, etc.)
 Disassociation
 Potential for addiction?...

6. I work with assumption is that gambling is not
innately “bad” or “good.” I don’t expect you to
agree with this assumption.
Most people who gamble are able to do so for
entertainment without harm. A significant
number, however, develop problems.

8. Photo: Hynes

9. originally didn’t
output money.
They output prizes
because gambling
was illegal.

10. Image source: eBay user duramax1989

11. Source: Oregon Health Authority
(2012; ibid)Photo source: Daniel Berman.

12. Week of September 24‐Oct 1; Source: appdata.com

13. Source: insidefacebook.com

16. made it illegal to make interstate sports bets
While this is technically legal today at licensed
racetracks, the government has cited the act to
prevent online sports betting services.

17. made it illegal for banks and credit card companies
to allow money to be transferred to online casinos
or gambling websites
Fostered growth in third party (PayPal-esque)
accounts for money transfers

18.  switched gears
 gambling technically not illegal
 up to the states to decide

19. Source: ABC News
http://youtu.be/j0shB567K4Mhttp://youtu.be/j0shB567K4M

20. individual states sometimes have very specific,
restrictive laws about online gambling.
Some states expressly prohibit online gambling by
residents while others have no clear laws.
States currently with legalized online gambling:
 Nevada
 New Jersey
 Delaware

24. Something for
everyone

25. Source: betclic.com

26. SourceIGT.com

28. Source: silveroakcasino.com

29. Source: vegascasinoonline.com

30. Source: mrgreen.com

31. Source: mrgreen.com

35. 

36. ?

37. “Internet Gaming Disorder”
a condition warranting more clinical
research and experience before it might
be considered for inclusion in the main
book as a formal disorder.
Source: http://www.dsm5.org/

38.  A sample of 1,178 youth in the U.S.: 8.5% of
youth gamers were classified as “pathological
gamers”
 >80% play video games at least occasionally
 “Pathological” gaming: (using 5 of 10 of DSM-IV;
this was prior to DSM-5)

39. Some
information
we do
have
Source: Pediatrics, 2011 Feb; 127(2): e319‐29

40. Pathological gamers:
Less empathy
More impulsivity
Reinforcing
mental health
issues
Source: Pediatrics, 2011 Feb; 127(2): e319‐29

42. http://youtu.be/pQnE-ViHqk8

43. 5.6% college age (18‐24)
2½ % all adults (18+)
4% teens (13‐17)
This is the first generation of widely
available electronic gambling.
We really don’t know the effects yet.
Why?
Is it the
generation?
Technology?
Or what?

45. brain

46. For more info: see article
“The Almost Winning Addiction” (The Economist, 2010)
It’s really about the
action, not the money!
“ALMOST
WINNING”
causes
dopamine to
be activated
the same as
ACTUALLY
winning.
Problem
gamblers are
more likely to
see their near
misses as
“NEAR WINS”
People play
LONGER
when
machines
give them
NEAR
MISSES.

47. The PREFRONTAL
CORTEX is the
LAST PART to
develop.
years old!
The brain
is still
developing
until
The PREFRONTAL CORTEX is responsible for higher level
thinking, like decision making, holding attention, coping
skills, controlling impulses, problem solving and planning.
Starting unhealthy behaviors at young ages can mess up
this development!

48. Neurotransmitter
Serotonin
Norepinephrine
Opioids
Dopamine
Role in Relation to
Gambling
Behavior Initiation/Cessation
Arousal, Excitement
Pleasure, Urges
Reward, Reinforcement
Dopamine: most studied neurotransmitter in problem gambling
 Serotonin --  risk taking
Gambling -   β-endorphin
PGs -   NE levels
PGs -   dopamine response
Neurotransmitter
“PGs” = problem gamblers | Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that
transmit nerve impulses. Dopamine is known as the brain’s “reward system.”

49. Source: Brain Briefings (2007, October), Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC
Dopamine
Dopamine not released when expecting a loss.
Flooded with dopamine when expecting a win!
It’s not about the money – it’s about the action of the game and the
hope of winning.

50. Sources: Tonneato, T. (1999). Cognitive psychopathology of problem gambling. Subst Use Misuse. Sep;34(11):1
Anecdotal reports from problem gamblers in treatment and recovery.

51. How are the
following cognitive
distortions more (or
less) apparent with
newer technology?
Cognitive distortions.

52. Image source: Anheuser‐Busch
COGNITIVE Distortions
 Lucky #’s
 Favorite shirt
 “My” machine
Superstition
Rituals/habits that
are believed
to affect the outcome.

53. COGNITIVE Distortions
 Example (win): “Yeah buddy! I was just waiting on my
card. I know this game inside and out.”
 Example (loss): “I would’ve won if that idiot didn’t get
lucky and draw an ace.”
Biased Evaluation
Attributing wins to one’s special
skill or luck, while losses are
blamed on external circumstances.

54. Image source: Anheuser‐Busch
Forgetting about losses, only
remembering wins.
COGNITIVE Distortions
Selective Memory

55. COGNITIVE Distortions
Failure to see each event as independent.
Examples:
• Trying to see patterns in coin flips.
• “This slot machine is DUE to hit!”
Gambler’s Fallacy

65. For good or bad, we are wired to see
patterns in things. When it comes to
gambling, it’s good to remember that.
THIS was “supposed”
to be next.

66. How are these
cognitive
distortions more (or
less) apparent with
newer technology?
Reflecting:

69.  APPS: check them.
 PASSWORDS: get them.
 PRIVACY: all profiles.
 CONTROLS: set them (yours, not just the
device!)
 CHECKS: spontaneously, do it.

70. • Keep computer use in open area.
Consider restricting mobile browsing
hours or plan.
• Monitor, monitor, monitor.
• Sites – gambling, parties, “how‐to”
videos, etc.
• Social media accounts.

71. Teens “care about their privacy (but) it’s
not always the same kind of privacy that
we as adults have. Teens are more
concerned about privacy from their
parents, their teachers, their schools.”
– Amanda Lenhart (source: Forbes.com,
8/22/13)

72.  Check out the games/apps with your kids
 Play with your kids or sit with them while they
play. You will have fun and learn about their
gaming, too.
 Check the ratings of the games your kids want to
play. In the U.S. and Canada, most games sold at
retail stores are described and rated by the
Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB). Use
these ratings as you discuss the most appropriate
games with your child or teen.

73. to your
advantage.
Communicate
expectations.
Remember about
drinking/gambling. Zero.
 xo
Be home by 11. Have fun
& text if you need a ride.
Yep got it
ok thanks mom
Jordan
6:49PM
5:11PM

74.  Major mobile services (e.g., AT&T, T-Mobile,
Verizon) offer family protection plans
 Features include: GPS, purchase blocking, turning
off browsing/data/texting, time of day, etc.
 See www.preventionlane.org/online-safety for a
list of helpful links to these services
Practicality alert: Some features CANNOT be blocked when user
has access to WiFi (so…you may need to change your WiFi
password often!)

75. timetoact.drugfree.org

77. 541.682.3928
For more info & resources,
visit www.preventionlane.org
hynes@uoregon.edu julhynes1