Problem Gambling Awareness Week Gambling: Know the risks

If I am going to flip a coin 10 times for you, and it comes up “heads” the first nine, what would you think it will come up on the 10th flip? Although many people’s first thought is “tails,” the truth is that it is completely 50/50 to come up either way.

As human beings, we are prone to patternize things around us, or come up with a system. For most individuals, this is just a mechanism we have to cope with our surroundings, and is a helpful part of how we think of things. However, for the problem gambler, this is like fuel on a fire.

A definition of gambling is: To risk money or something of value on the outcome of an unpredictable chance event or contest. We intellectually understand this, and would agree. But for the problem gambler, the difference in behavior stems from a denial that what they are doing is totally unpredictable and out of their control.

Many gamblers feel that things as simple as posture, color of socks, time of day or any myriad of other “superstitious” activities will somehow affect the outcome of the next spin of the wheel. In its natural form, we all feel as if we have some control on outcomes of a lot of things, that we “make our own luck.”

Again, for the problem gambler, this becomes grossly over-rated and creates a slew of issues. As the gambler lives the consequence of losing their money to the machines that are designed to win, and tell us that up front, one may become obsessed with finding the thing or system that brings them into the win column. Of course, you don’t get to try the new ideas for free, so people can continue to dig deeper financial holes as a result, which in turn fuels the obsession.

The gambling industry has gone to great lengths to grow their business. Many producers of the games and machines associated with gaming spend millions of dollars annually on research and development of better ways to get your money. They understand the brain and how it works probably more than many doctors and teachers. They know what fires off the parts of the brain that will make a gambling experience something an individual would want to do again. This is no secret.

Many of us have seen on TV shows “How They Do It in Las Vegas,” or something like that, and are aware that when people gamble, they are paying the light bills!

The video gaming industry has continued to expand. What was thought of as “where the wife hung out while the high roller plays cards,” has become where a majority of the industry makes its money, nearly 70 percent of the revenue. New technology to entice the player is hitting casinos regularly.

Did you know that most video poker machines will deal a new hand every six seconds? The games are designed like that because of research done to find the ideal time between hands to keep interest piqued without moving too fast.

One final note: as with many substances or behaviors, most people never develop addictions. But there is always that risk that it can become problematic.

Something I share with people is the thought that what they are doing at the machine, casino or with lottery is that much of that truly isn’t gambling. You know right up front what the odds are, and the truth is that the only variable is time. If you play long enough, you will lose. They tell you that. That doesn’t mean that it’s not entertaining when done appropriately. It just means, know the risks.

Problem gambling treatment in Oregon is confidential and free, and it works. If you have questions or needs, you can call the Oregon Problem Gambling Helpline at 1877-MY-LIMIT or visit www.1877mylimit.org.

Access local services by calling Grande Ronde Recovery at 541-962-0162 in Union County or 541-962-0162. Call the Wallowa Valley Center for Wellness at 541-426-4524 in Wallowa County.

Keith Walker is an Oregon state-certified gambling addictions counselor level I and is the service provider for Wallowa and Union counties.