Julie Hynes, MA, CPS Keynote presentation, October 9, 2014 | Oregon Problem Gambling Services conference.

1. Julie M. Hynes, MA, CPS
Oregon Problem Gambling Services Conference
Newport, OR October 9, 2014
t h e
blurring lines
o f games a n d
gambling

2. The complete slide deck & print-
friendly handouts are posted at:
www.preventionlane.org/
pgsconference

3. NCPG
Oregon Problem Gambling Services
C.A. Baskerville, the heart of awesomeness
Jim Wuelfing
Dameri Wagner, student intern
Researchers!

4. More than ever, problem gambling specialists need
to be aware of technology and the issues that face
populations from youth to those in recovery for
addictions.

5. Is our definition of “gambling” blurring?
Are youth at risk for disordered gambling by merely
playing a free poker app?
Is a person in recovery at risk by playing frequent,
often excessive, online social games?

6. Analyze recent trends, technological issues and
parallels related to gambling and gaming.
Talk about how these issues put people at risk for
harmful consequences.
Name tools that can be used to help reduce the risk
of harmful consequences of electronic
games/gambling.

7. This is focused mainly on
GAMING/GAMBLING
connections, but parallels are likely to be seen
with many other internet/tech-related
disorders.

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

9. DIVING IN
Technology, Trends & Tie-in’s

10. Graphic source: http://www.cyber-scholar.com/

12. Reasons for
Play
Theme/Genre
Rewards &
Reinforcements
Dopamine
Platforms

13. Competition
Convenience
Speed & intensity
Discovery – new content
No real “Game Over” for many games
“Relationships”
Others?

14. Source: WSJ.com 2/11/14

15. Center photo: Daniel Berman.
Technology
Speed
Platform

16. As of January 2014:
 90% of American adults have a cell phone
 58% of American adults have a smartphone
 42% of American adults own a tablet
computer
Source: Pew Internet Project

17. Week of July 1, 2014; Source: appdata.com
TECHNOLOGY

18. See Keith’s presentation 

23. Higher wagers
Inflated payouts
Better odds

24. Source: mrgreen.com

29. THE LAWS
(& Skirting Them)

30. 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.

31. 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

32. ILLEGAL

33. 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: NV
NJ
DE

34. Source: betclic.com

35.  Completely digital $
 Peer to peer (doesn’t go through a bank)
 Can be used in any country
 ANONYMOUS

36. RESEARCH
The connections.

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. 

39. 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)
Gentile, D. (2009). Pathological video-game use among youth ages 8-18: A national study.
Psychological Science, 20, 594-602. Click here for article.

40. Gentile, 2009.
FAMILIAR?

41. Gentile, 2009

42. Less empathy
More impulsivity
 Reinforcing
MH issues
Source: Gentile, Choo, Liau, et al. (2011). Pathological video game use
among youth: A two year longitudinal study. Pediatrics, 127, e319-29

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.

44. The PREFRONTAL
CORTEX is the LAST
PART to develop.
years old!
The brain
is still
developing
until

45. So
What?

46. 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!

47. Electronics: about the action. Sound familiar?
“ALMOST
WINNING”:
dopamine is
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.

50.  By searching on the app store/Google play
(etc.) for apps, mobile users can
inadvertently trigger themselves 
 (Kind of like any online searches for help)

51. Search string: “Quit gambling”

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

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

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

57. • Keep computer use in open area – if you
can (desktop computer).
• Monitor, monitor, monitor.
• Sites – gambling, parties, “how-to”
videos, etc.
• Social media accounts.

59. 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)

60. TRUST
SAFE!

61. Dr. Kimberly S. Young – Available on Amazon / Kindle

62. expectations.
to your
advantage.
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

63. My 80’s
Frogger game
Image source: eBay user duramax1989

64.  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. Most games 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. Note that
many of these ratings list “E” for everyone!
________________________

65.  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!)

66. Check privacy settings so their
identifying info isn’t available to
outsiders, even “friends of friends.”
Insist on access to their pages
(PASSWORD).
Image: Mashable.com

67. Pay attention to clues: restless,
withdrawal, lack of interest, different
friends, signs you know from problem
gambling
INTERVENE if you see warning signs.
(Get intervention tips:
www.drugfree.org/intervene)

68. AND…LAST BUT
NOT LEAST!

70. preventionlane.org
Julie.Hynes@co.lane.or.us
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