Summer 1997

Gambling has rapidly become an acceptable and regular form of recreation throughout the United States. Each of us has choices to make about the many forms of gambling available. Some people choose not to gamble in any form for a variety of reasons. Some are morally opposed to gambling, some think it's simply foolish, and others may have a family history of gambling problems, chemical dependency or some other addiction and they just do not want to take the risk. For many, gambling is a social or recreational activity, something that is fun and different to do.

Gambling joins boating, walking, fishing, exercising, reading, traveling and attending movies, plays, concerts and sporting events as favorite recreational activities of Minnesotans. Many of these activities involve some level of risk. Safe boating requires use of a life jacket. Safe traveling requires use of seat belts. Even reading for pleasure requires a well-lighted environment to reduce eye strain. People who choose to gamble also need to anticipate risks and take action to reduce or eliminate the risks as much as possible.

Recreational gambling requires an understanding of the characteristics of low-risk gambling, as well as the signs of a gambling problem. Developing a set of personal guidelines for low-risk, legal, and appropriate choices about whether, when, and how much to gamble can provide direction for teaching appropriate behavior to others and serve as the basis for intervening when someones behavior is risky, unhealthy or inappropriate.

Characteristics of Low-Risk Gambling Even though large numbers of people in Minnesota and throughout the United States regularly gamble, there are few generally accepted guidelines for participation. Decisions about gambling need to be made with the following characteristics of low-risk gambling in mind.

Low-risk gamblers know that over time nearly everyone loses. The recreational benefits of gambling are found in the excitement of taking a chance, the thrill of winning and the fun of being with friends while gambling. Rarely is financial gain one of the benefits.

Low-risk gambling is done socially, with family, friends or colleagues, not alone. It is often combined with other forms of entertainment.

Low-risk gambling is done for limited amounts of time, both in frequency and duration. While no one can accurately predict when problems will develop, we do know that as one gambles more frequently and for longer periods of time, the risk increases.

Low-risk gambling always has predetermined, acceptable limits for losses. Any money spent on gambling needs to be considered entertainment. Given the wide range of income and expenses for people, an acceptable amount for a gambling loss could range from zero dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year.

The booklet Gambling: Choices and Guidelines, shown to the left, suggests eight guidelines that include the characteristics of low-risk gambling and can help people set their own personal guidelines.

Prevention of Gambling Problems As individuals, friends, members of congregations, co-workers and families we can help reduce the risk of people developing gambling problems. First, the personal choices we make about gambling are clear messages to others. We can be a positive role model for young people and friends if we choose not to gamble or if we choose to gamble in a low-risk, legal and appropriate manner. Secondly, we can take specific action to prevent gambling problems from developing.

The goals of actions to prevent gambling problems are to:

1. Support those who choose not to gamble;
2. Establish and support guidelines for low-risk gambling; and
3. Prevent low-risk patterns of gambling from becoming high-risk.

There are several categories of efforts that are essential to the goals of prevention. These include strategies to:

Provide important information to enable people to make choices about whether, when or how much to gamble. While information alone is not likely to prevent problems, it is an important part of a comprehensive prevention effort. People of all ages need accurate information about the potential for developing a gambling problem. They also need to be exposed to individuals who choose not to gamble as well as those who model low-risk, legal and appropriate choices about gambling.

Assist people to establish guidelines for low-risk, legal and appropriate gambling. Communities can provide opportunities for people of all ages within families, schools, social situations, religious organizations and other community groups to discuss and develop guidelines for low-risk gambling. Communities can also support individuals who choose not to gamble as well as those whose lives have been affected by gambling problems.

Assist people to identify and counteract social influences that encourage gambling. People of all ages can be helped to recognize the persuasive power of advertising, as well as the influence of friends, family or co-workers.

Encourage and support a variety of activities and situations that do not involve gambling.

Provide people with instruction and practice in personal and social skills to resist pressures to gamble in a high-risk manner.