From Deseret News archives:
Gambling spurs social, legal woes
Utah could have up to 88,000 'problem' gamers
No formal study has been conducted that enumerates how many problem gamblers live in Utah or counts their social costs. However, extrapolations can be made from studies conducted nationally and in neighboring states; from professionals and groups who help local addicts; and groups that deal with resulting financial and family problems.
The fact that Utah could have problem gamblers despite its gambling ban is not a surprise. A new Deseret Morning News/KSL-TV poll by Dan Jones & Associates shows that 75 percent of Utahns say they have gambled in their lifetimes; 45 percent of those gamblers have wagered on games within the past year.
Gambling is available at casinos, race tracks and lotteries just over the state boundary; at bingo and poker clubs in Utah, which may or may not be operating legally; and on the Internet.
While other states usually set aside a portion of their gambling earnings to treat problem gamblers, none of that flows back to Utah when its problem gamblers return home or when they gamble illegally.
Gambling 'addicts'
Three key national studies by the National Research Council and the National Opinion Research Center in 1999, both for the National Gambling Impact Study Commission, and by Harvard Medical School in 1997 provide estimates of out-of-control "pathological" gamblers and less-serious "problem" gamblers.
Most gamblers are neither. Pathological gamblers are essentially addicts. Problem gamblers may not be addicts, but they show some or many of the symptoms that pathological gamblers exhibit.
Dr. Michael Kalm, president of the Utah Psychiatric Association, believes that gambling can be as real an addiction as cocaine or alcohol.
The difference, he said, is the mechanism of action, because it doesn't start with ingesting a chemical. In addicts, the pleasure centers of the brain, the dopamine receptors which are "behind virtually all addictions," he says light up. When they are overstimulated, they burn out, requiring more and more to get a similar kind of pleasure. And a problem is born.
Recent comments
Did I miss something in your story?
Where is help available?
I...
Jackie | Nov. 10, 2007 at 2:00 p.m.
- RSL coaches deal with expansion 11:01 p.m.
- Day care means TV time, study finds 10:51 p.m.
- Brithdays for Monday, Nov. 23 10:50 p.m.
- 'Origin' to be auctioned 10:49 p.m.
- 7 bulls used for movie break free 10:48 p.m.
- Jackson's doctor goes back to work 10:47 p.m.
- 9/11 defendants want to air views 10:37 p.m.
- SUU sweeps conference honors 10:37 p.m.
- Some Dems. want big changes 10:37 p.m.
- Jackson makes history with 4 AMAs 10:36 p.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- BYU records with win
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Cougars put the fun back in football
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Kirilenko heating up for the Jazz
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Wendover airfield's legacy lost?
- Florida No. 1, TCU 4 in AP Top 25
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
202 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
185 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - BYU records with win
129 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
125 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
105 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93
A little after midnight Wednesday morning, about 21 hours ago as I write...
There's a lot of reason to leave your plastic home as you shop:
"How would Real Salt Lake do against say Real Madrid... or Manchester United?...
thank you!
Norm, I feel for the heartbreak of the France game. You guys were robbed....
Palin is being dragged through the mud because she was wholly and completely...
Waldfogel totally misses the point of gifts. Having to give somebody a...
WAY TO GO RSL!! Nice job keeping it together after you were scored on...
A quater century ago.
Thanks for the info on when the team in coming home. Unfortunately, I will...
The far right legislature controlled by the real estate lobbyists need to...
I followed the match from Northern Ireland. What a great result for RSL....


