Effect of Gambling to British Teenagers - Essay Example

Effect of Gambling to British Teenagers Thesis ment: Gambling increases the chances of teenagers falling into other criminal activity. Introduction: I would just like to talk of the relationship between criminal activity and teenage gambling. Studies have shown there is a very strong relationship between the two. Gambling is an extremely addictive hobby and is very hard to control especially as a teenagers. Teenagers can fall into this terrible addiction extremely quickly. Teenagers that try gambling once are much more likely to come back again in comparison to adults. Their will power is not as strong. That is why it is such a big problem and is a growing one as well. The relationship between the two is very closely related because of nature of the hobby. Talk about gambling very briefly Give a short explanation of teenage gambling Then speak very briefly about the relationship between the two One of the main reasons why teenagers turn to other criminal activity is because they need money. The easiest and fastest way to make money for gambling is stealing. There are many different level of stealing first of teenage gamblers steal money from family, mothers purses, fathers wallet or siblings piggy banks. This happens because parents and family members are against the idea of gambling and will not fund it therefore turn to unethical measures. More extreme cases have stolen from shops, other people and houses. Main reason for gambling: Addiction Main reason for the relationship between gambling and criminal activity: To feed their addiction Type of criminal activity that is related to gambling: Stealing The other main problem with teenage gambling is that it is associated with vices such as drinking, drugs and sex. Being underage and following the gambling life style will eventually lead you to problems such as alcoholism etc. In casinos they encourage drinking therefore being in that environment will lead you down that path. The Law In 2002, the British government released a report regarding the proposed changes in the UK gambling law. It is a change that is expected to elevate the annual sum gambled in Britain to more than 60bn from 42bn a year (BBC News). The Gambling Act 2005 also called the Gambling Bill is a response to the Gambling Review Report made by the Department of Culture, Media and Sports in 2001 (Gamingfloor.com). One of the objectives of the Gambling Act 2005 is to prevent "gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder or being used to support crime" (UK Parliament). The Act "mainly applies to England and Wales, and to Scotland, and is designed to control all forms of gambling" (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.). The Act only entered into force in September 2007 (Sprecher Grier Halberstam LLP). "Some provisions of the bill faced controversy, particularly in its original form, where it would have allowed large numbers of so-called 'super casinos' to have been set up" (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.). "The Act also specifically regulates internet gambling for the first time" (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.). The law was basically aimed at restricting other activities but it has paved way for more casinos in Britain. Particularly, it will allow casinos with up to 1250 slot machines and unlimited jackpots. (BBC News). The Facts on Gambling Upon the announcement of the Bill, BBC News made an investigation about the status of gambling in UK and the gambling habits of Britons in 2002. In 2002, it was found out that "Six out of ten adults in the UK spend up to 50 each month gambling on sporting events or the Lotto, according to government figure" and that "the industry is already worth 42bn a year" (BBC News). Some of the gambling activities subscribed by the British are Lotto, Bingo, Slot Machines, Casinos, Betting and Internet Betting. It is estimated that "more than 30 million people regularly buy a ticket for the Lotto" with around 4.983 million tickets sold in the years 2000-2001 according to the National Lottery Commission (BBC News). "The UK Lotto is ranked the second largest of the192 lotteries worldwide (by sales)" (BBC News). In September 19, 2007, the National Centre for Social Research released a study on gambling in Britain. The study contained the following findings: a) Two thirds of the British public (68%) gambled in the past year, according to an authoritative survey of over 9,000 people, conducted by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), the University of Birmingham and Nottingham Trent University. b) The most popular activity was the National Lottery Draw with 57% of people purchasing National Lottery tickets. Half the population (48%) gambled on something other than the National Lottery Draw, notably scratch cards (20%), horse races (17%) and slot machines c) Gambling is clearly a widespread activity. But while it is a recreational pursuit for most people, a small minority has problems with their gambling. The survey indicates that more than a quarter of a million adults in Britain are 'problem gamblers' - gambling in a way that is damaging to their family or personal life. The study also has specific findings. They are the following: As to what do people gamble on a) After the National Lottery Draw, the next most popular forms of gambling are scratch cards (20%), betting on horse races (17%) and playing slot machines (14%). b) The number of people participating in the newer forms of gambling is similar to that for casinos: 6% use the internet to gamble and 3% use fixed odds betting terminals. Changes in Participation a) Overall, the percentage of people gambling has gone down from 72% to 68%. This is mainly because fewer people buy National Lottery tickets (the proportion has fallen from 65% to 57%). b) Excluding people who only take part in the National Lottery Draw, 48% of adults in 2007 participated in some other form of gambling in the last year, an increase from 46% in 1999. As to who gambles a) Men are more likely to gamble than women, both overall (71% compared with 65%) and on each gambling activity with the exception of bingo (4% of men compared with 10% of women). b) For most activities, young people are more likely to gamble: scratch cards, slot machines, horse races, dog races, other betting with a bookmaker, online gambling, table games in a casino and private betting are all most popular among those aged 25-34, and then decrease in popularity with age. c) People in higher income households are more likely to gamble - the rate increases from 61% among those in the lowest income households to around 72% for higher income households. d) People with higher levels of education are less likely to gamble - 61% of those with a degree compared with 73% who are educated to GCSE/O level equivalent. Gambling Problems e) In the population as a whole, 0.6% of adults (that is 6 per thousand) are estimated tube problem gamblers - about 284,000 adults in Britain. This is the exact same prevalence found in 1999. f) The problem gambling prevalence rate in Britain is higher than that found in Norway, similar to that of Canada and New Zealand, and lower than Australia, South Africa, the United States, Singapore, Macao and Hong Kong. Who are the problem gamblers g) People whose parents gamble(d) regularly - particularly if they themselves have/had a gambling problem - are more likely to be problem gamblers. h) (But) since internet gamblers tend to be young people, we might expect this to be a type of gambling that will increase in popularity over time.' Source: (Kerry Sproston) Teenage Gambling Although our study is mainly focused on teenagers and the effect on gambling on them specifically their involvement in crime, it is worthwhile to see the kind of environment that they move in, especially the actitivites and attitudes of adults towards gambling. Now, we will be moving to our main study, which is to look at teenagers involvement in gambling and the crimes related to such activities. "With the incredible rise of the Internet in the last decade or so and along with it, ever greater access to gambling oriented websites and information sites, fears over the impact gambling is having on teenagers and their naturally curious nature are growing" (Onlinecasino6.com). This fear is actually now being observed as the UK survey on gambling suggests. "To add to these fears is the similarly huge rise in the popularity of poker, especially with television getting in on the act with regards to the major tournaments" (Onlinecasino6.com). This then facilitates easier results on sports bets such as basketball, baseball, soccer and others. "The statistics bear out certain theories about teenage gambling. One recent study claims that around 70% of teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 have engaged in gambling. The same study also claims that usage of certain illegal substances such as marijuana and cocaine as well as alcohol and tobacco are believed to be linked significantly with gambling" (Onlinecasino6.com). The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual revealed facts about pathological gambling (Perkinson). It says that pathological gambling is a persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behaviour as indicated by five or more of the following criteria: 1. The individual is preoccupied with gambling (i.e. preoccupiedwith reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble.) 2. The individual needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement. 3. The individual has repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop gambling. 4. The individual is restless or irritable with attempting to cut down or stop gambling. 5. The individual gambles as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (i.e., feeling of helplessness, guilty, anxiety, and depression). 6. The individual after losing money gambling often returns another day to get even ("chasing" one's losses). 7. The individual lies to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling. 8. The individual has committed illegal acts such as forgery, fraud, theft, or embezzlement to finance gambling. 9. The individual has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, education or career opportunity because of gambling. 10. The individual relies on others to provide money or relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling. The American National Council on Problem Gambling also announced similar analysis on the effect of gambling addiction. Basically, this result suggests that "young people who are exposed to gambling from young age are ore at risk from being embroiled in that same dangerous cycle of behaviour" (Onlinecasino6.com). The Problem Gambling Prevention organization based on Oregon also released information on the effect of gambling to the youths (Problem Gambling Prevention). These include: a) Crime (theft, robbery, embezzlement) b) School problems (e.g., lower grades, truancy, behavior issues) c) Family problems (e.g., withdrawal, behavior issues) d) Peer relationship problems e) Legal and money troubles f) Depression g) Suicidal thoughts and attempts h) Dissociative, "escape" behaviors i) Risk for other addiction(s), including alcohol and substance abuse Casino Watch, a volunteer-driven organization based in America released a report in 2006 saying that gambling is driving children to commit crimes and suicide (Casino Watch). Some of the crimes mentioned are forging checks, murder, burglary, selling of drugs, and other fraudulent activities(Casino Watch). Depression, delinquency and disrupted family and peer relationships are also some of the effects. A report in "The Independent" in January 2007 said that Britain is heading towards gambling epidemic and with women and teenagers at great risk of addiction (Sophie Goodchild). The British Medical Association said that there is an urgent need for more treatment services and warned that "children are at an increases risk of becoming gambling addicts with the liberalisation of gaming" (Sophie Goodchild). Professor Mark Griffiths, co-author of the BA report and director of the International Gaming Research Unit at Nottingham Trent University, said that, "The liberalisation of gambling and the number of different ways people can do it, such as mobile phones and spread betting, means the figure will go up" (Sophie Goodchild). It is then obvious that the teenagers in Britain are more exposed to gambling opportunities that are deemed legal per Gambling Bill. This then calls for a more thorough study on the effect of gambling on teenagers attitudes with a particular focus on its relation with criminal acts. Gambling and Stealing A study from the Research Institute on Addictions at the University of Buffalo revealed that due to gambling "teenagers have fights and may beat each other up. They sell their possessions, steal from their parents, and steal in the community. Some get very depressed or may even try suicide" (Ami Albernaz ). There are stories of kids who would spend all nights betting, therefore having problems in schools. There are also reported incidents of stealing, even of parents' credit cards (Perkinson). This happens because internet gambling can be done even late at night at their own homes, giving them easier access to their parents' credit cards. Some of the problem gamblers arrested is found to have offenses as probation or parole violations, liquor law violations, trespassing and other public order offenses (National Institute of Justice). Gambling to Robbery and Assault There are cases of robberies and assaults due to gambling. The recent survey by the National Institute of Justice of America revealed that nearly one-third of the problem gamblers admitted that they have committed robbery to pay for gambling or to pay for gambling debts (National Institute of Justice). Also, around 13% said that they have assaulted someone to get money (National Institute of Justice). Drug Dealing Pathological gamblers were found to be significantly more likely to have sold drugs and the study also showed that "One in five pathological gamblers who had been arrested admitted having sold drugs to finance their gambling" (National Institute of Justice). Suicide As reported, "A 16-year-old (gambling addict) was deep in depression and got caught forging checks. He was so scared of going to jail that he jumped out the courthouse window from the 16th floor and died" (Casino Watch). Many of the studies concluded that gambling might be more dangerous than drugs because the former is authorized and recognized by the government, providing more avenues for the teenagers to involve in such activities. This is exactly the threat that UK psychologists identify with the modernization of gaming. It is therefore advised that policies be reviewed accordingly. Works Cited Ami Albernaz . http://www.masspsy.com. October 2008. 7 May 2009 . BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk. 22 July 2002. 6 May 2009 . -. http://news.bbc.co.uk. 19 September 2007. 6 May 2009 . Casino Watch. 1 May 2006. 6 May 2009 . Gamingfloor.com. http://www.gamingfloor.com. 6 May 2009 . Kerry Sproston, Heather Wardle, Bob Erens. Gambling in Britain: The Latest Survery Evidence. Research. London: National Centre for Social Research, 2007. Onlinecasino6.com. http://onlinecasino6.com. 8 December 2008. 6 May 2009 . Perkinson, Robert R. http://www.robertperkinson.com. 6 May 2009 . Problem Gambling Prevention. http://www.lanecounty.org. 6 May 2009 . Sophie Goodchild, Ian Griggs. "A nation of gambling addicts: Teenagers and women at risk, warn doctors." The Independent 14 January 2007. Sprecher Grier Halberstam LLP. http://www.ukgamblinglaw.co.uk/. 6 May 2009 . UK Parliament. Gambling Act 2005. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Office of Public Sector Information, 2005. United Nations. http://www.un.org. 6 May 2009 . Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. http://en.wikipedia.org. 7 March 2009. 6 May 2009 . Read More