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GAMBLING INCREASES HOMELESSNESS International Union of Gospel Missions, surveyed 42 missions. Of those responding, 18% said gambling was a factor in their becoming homeless; 70% said gambling makes it harder to get back on their feet; 37% said that they still gamble. GAMBLING INCREASES BANKRUPTCY The American Bankruptcy Institute reported a 34% increase in bankruptcies in eastern Missouri over the previous year. A SMR Research Corp. study found bankruptcy rates are 18% higher in counties with one gambling facility, and 23% higher in counties with five or more gambling facilities. Compulsive gambling is responsible for an increasing number of bankruptcies. 21% of Illinois Gamblers Anonymous members had filed bankruptcy. GAMBLING INCREASES SUICIDE Suicides in cities with gambling were up to four times higher than in comparably sized cities where gambling is not legal. "On average, people who gamble lose money, and people who gamble can lose a great deal of money. While this may not lead to suicide by the gambler, it could lead to suicide by the gambler’s spouse, son, relative, or business partner." Clinical psychologist Durand Jacobs found suicide rates twice as high among teens with gambling problems. Problem gamblers were shown to have a suicide rate five to ten times higher than the rest of the population. GAMBLING INCREASES DIVORCE Clay Co. , Missouri judge estimates gambling problems have been a factor in 5% to 10% of the divorces she has presided over since the casinos arrived. 16% of Illinois Gamblers Anonymous members were divorced due to gambling. GAMBLING INCREASES ADDICTION The MO Dept of Mental Health brought in Dr. Franklin to train 34 counselors in gambling treatment. A national gambling expert, Dr. Joanna Franklin says between 100,000 and 200,000 Missourians have already become compulsive gamblers - with the number to reach 265,000 before leveling off. Missouri's compulsive gamblers exceed the population of the state's fourth largest city, Independence. Compulsive gambling among young people is triple that of adults. "We will face in the next decade or so more problems with youth gambling than we'll face with drug use. " A 1998 Harvard Medical School's Children's Hospital survey of 17,000 eighth-through 12th-grade students in Vermont, found that 7 percent said that gambling caused problems with friends and family. "In New Jersey alone, older Americans wager a reported 65% of the $3.8 billion spent in casinos." Kansas City sees addiction rise with boats. GAMBLING INCREASES CRIME About 13% of underage gamblers break laws to pay for their habit or pay off a debt. Employee theft and embezzlement are among the more blatant crimes frequently committed by compulsive gamblers. 44% Of Illinois Gamblers Anonymous members stole from work to pay gambling debts. Nearly half of the St. Louis city treasury's $5.6 million gambling take must go to pay for police protection near the President Casino on the Mississippi River. In 1997 there were 2,103 arrests at eleven gambling facilities. |
Costs - Economic/SocialGambling: Is It Worth It?