Gambling

A PSA ad from the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling in a 2013 TV campaign to bring awareness of the available resources for people facing gambling addiction.

Slot Machines: The Big Gamble

Currently, there are more than twice the number of slot machines than ATMs in America and more money is spent on these slot machines than on movies, baseball and theme parks combined. Modern slot machines, with their blinking lights, loud noises and continuous nature—no waiting for fellow players, the dealer or roulette wheel—have the greatest potential to lead to gambling addiction than any other form of gambling according to this 60 Minutes segment. This report includes a broad number of interviews from recovering problem gamblers to addiction specialists to politicians addressing the building of new casinos. (00:13:09) | 2011

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Bottoming Out: Gambling Addiction in Las Vegas

This powerful self-produced documentary tells the story of Tony, a 46-year old man transplanted from California to Las Vegas. After arriving in Vegas, Tony went to a casino and played $5 on the penny slots; he won $80 back and was hooked. Soon, $5 turned into thousands. Tony kept telling himself he’d play enough to pay off his debt, but that never quite happened. He began video recording himself while gambling and would then play the video back later to remind himself of what a waste it was. This video merges his account today with the video he took then. (00:17:46) | 2011

Hidden Secret Women Gambling

Compulsive gambling among women is often called the hidden addiction. While men are considered “action” gamblers, it’s estimated that 95 percent of women prefer solitary options like playing slots and video poker for one main purpose. Copyright 2013 by KARE.

Online Gambling Causing Real Problems

The internet has taken gambling beyond casinos and betting houses and into homes worldwide. As this segment from ABC News Australia reports, online gambling has opened the doors of gambling to people who normally wouldn’t place a bet in person. Prior to placing a bet on an Australian football game online, Mike had never gambled; now he places online bets on events from sports to the royal wedding. A 2011 survey found that not only does online gambling acerbate the habits of existing problem gamblers but that a new segment of problem gamblers has been created – online gamblers – and that approximately one-third of these had no previous gambling experience. (00:05:11) | 2011

Why GAMES?

In 1999, there was talk of building a casino near Monroe, Connecticut. In response, local community leaders began investigating a prevention program aimed at discouraging teen gambling and in 2001, GAMES, a gambling awareness program, was launched. Narrated by the students of GAMES, this video explains the peer-to-peer program which allows teens to educate their fellow students on the risks and potential dangers of gambling. While, ironically, the casino was never built, over 600 students have participated in this leadership program, working to help students make informed decisions before gambling becomes a problem. (00:07:18) | 2011

Understanding Joy: The Devastation of a Gambling Addiction

With an estimated 150,000 problem gamblers in the state and a growing number of casino-based gambling opportunities available in Maryland and surrounding states, problem gambling has become epidemic. To explore the issue, Maryland Public Television presents a revealing free documentary on the destructive nature of gambling addiction. The one-hour special also features a panel of experts.

Understanding Joy enters the mind of Joy, a 57-year-old woman. Joy’s gambling addiction has overcome her sense of morality and driven her to embezzle $700,000 from two employers. As she awaits sentencing for her crime, Joy struggles to explain her disease to her children, to the world, and to herself. (00:56:46) | 2014

Gambling

National Problem Gambling Month

National Council on Problem Gambling

Delaware Council on Gambling Problems

District of Columbia Problem Gambling Resources

Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling

Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania

Virginia Council on Problem Gambling