Problem gambling can affect anyone, but those who work in the industry can be particularly susceptible because they’re exposed to it on a constant basis. Casino workers are nearly four times as likely to suffer from problem gambling than the average person, according to a study from the International Problem Gambling Center (PGC) in Las Vegas.
During the 17th Annual Michigan Gambling Disorder Symposium earlier this month, PGC Clinical Director Kobie T. West and Senior Counselor Elizabeth Evans presented data from a 9-year study, looking at the impact casino employment had on problem gambling.
There is a silver lining for casino workers, however. Familiarity with the product may help with recovery from addiction, once the sufferer decides to seek help. The study, presented during Problem Gambling Awareness Month, showed that although casino workers typically display more severe symptoms of addiction by the time they seek treatment, once they do they exhibit better odds of recovery.
Treatment program spanned six weeks
The PGC treated over 2,600 clients through a 9-year study that included both casino workers and non-casino workers.
While most of the clients were from Nevada, the group also included those from around the US and Canada.
Treatment was six weeks of intensive outpatient therapy. It took place four days a week for three hours each session. That included cognitive behavioral therapy lectures that focused on boundary setting, coping tools, trauma processing, connectivity, community, aftercare, and relapse prevention. Patients also took part in Gamblers Anonymous meetings.
When breaking down those who took part, here were notable statistics:
- 54% were women; 46% were men
- 56% were white; 16% Black; 13% Hispanic; 12% Asian
- 41% earned over $75,000; 20% between $50,000 and $70,000; 20% between $25,000 and $50,000; 19% earned less than $25,000
- 68% had only a high school diploma or GED as their highest level of education; 18% held a bachelor’s degree; 9% had a graduate degree
- 35% were married; 27% were divorced; 23% were single or never married; 8% were separated
- 65% reported other instances of addiction in their family
When it came to the game that led to the problem gambling, slots were most common at 41%. Video poker and keno came in at 32%, while table games were 21%.
Sports betting accounted for just 4%. However, the presenters noted that that low number is because the study was carried out over nine years, and sports betting was illegal in most states for much of that period. They remarked that if the study were repeated now, the figure for sports betting would likely be triple what they observed.
Casino workers entered treatment more impacted
Coming into treatment both casino workers and non-casino workers showed similar gambling traits. On average, each patient gambled an average of four days per week, averaging 5.6 hours per gambling session.
However, casino workers were more likely to feel despair and showed a higher self-reported severity.
The study showed that 81% of the casino workers believed their symptoms were severe, while just 53% of non-workers said the same.
The PGC noted that problem gamblers are five times more likely to die from suicide. The rate of suicidal ideation was also higher among casino workers with a gambling problem, with 41% of that group reporting such thoughts. By contrast, the rate was only 22% among problem gambling sufferers working outside the industry.
Why casino workers have more severe symptoms
According to the PGC, the prevalence of problem gambling for casino workers is three to four times higher than among non-casino workers. That comes down to three core reasons:
- Workplace culture: Immersion in the gaming environment means greater exposure and may lead workers to believe their knowledge offers an edge.
- Shift work schedule: With most casinos operating around the clock, many workers have non-standard shifts, leaving them more isolated in their lives outside of work.
- Normalization of gambling: Their work environment normalizes intense gambling experiences.
Many people with gambling problems, which can have consequences long before a clinical diagnosis, wait too long to seek help. Although that is true for casino workers as well, their reasons can be different. In general, most problem gamblers avoid seeking treatment due to stigma, feeling ashamed or embarrassed to admit a problem. Casino workers, on the other hand, fear retaliation from their employers, believing that admitting to a problem would result in job loss.
The PGC provided audio testimony of clients who worked at a casino and the challenges that come from that while battling addiction.
One casino executive testified that their place of work allowed workers to ask for paycheck advances at the casino cage. They said over 200 employees had exercised the option, many of whom did so in order to gamble.
Another testimonial came from a promoted casino bar manager whose employer instructed her to scout for a replacement at other bars. She said that her employers wanted her to look for someone exhibiting signs of compulsive gambling. This request, she said, reflected hopes that the new manager would gamble away any tips earned from guests, money that she says the management viewed as “missing dollars.”
Treatment leads to more success for casino workers
Following the six weeks, patients went through regular follow-up interviews and research so the PGC could track their success.
Their results found that casino workers had greater success rates at abstaining from gambling. That included even those who had returned to their place of work inside the gambling industry,
Overall, 44.1% of all participants achieved abstinence from gambling for 1-year following treatment. Non-casino workers achieved this at 40.8%, while casino workers achieved it at 54.2%.
The average length of abstinence per non-casino worker was 218 days, but that grew to 278 days for casino workers.
Overall, treatment was effective for 78.4% of the total clients and 88.0% of the casino workers treated.
Even those that relapsed, their gambling rates decreased by 70%. Average sessions were down to 3.3 hours and only occurred two times per week.
Altogether, 94.7% of clients saw lower gambling activity and 81.6% reported an absence of gambling-related symptoms.
Why treatment was successful for casino workers
Exposure to gambling on the job is surely a risk factor for problem gambling. However, the PGC believes the issue is much deeper, especially when it comes to recovery.
West explained during the presentation:
For problem gamblers, it’s not the presence of joy that they’re looking for. It’s the absence of pain. So, they’re not going to have fun, they’re going to suppress or numb some emotion that they have.
There is a belief that people gamble because it is there, when in fact they are gambling for other reasons. What we want to do is find that reason. When we work on that reason, the desire to gamble doesn’t matter as much.
Trauma in other areas of life is a big catalyst for addiction. But a lack of understanding from others is what helps feed it further.
The PGC applied that to its treatment, using the term “slip” as opposed to “relapse” when a client made a mistake that they quickly acknowledged. They describe the difference as:
- Slip: Going into a casino and gambling, but realizing immediately the harm it caused. Patients reach out to support for help and resume treatment with continued abstinence.
- Relapse: Going into a casino and gambling with the belief it is not harmful and doesn’t acknowledge the action to any support. They then continue to gamble without seeking support.
Evans, someone who has battled gambling addiction herself, found that the term “slip” was very helpful for her clients. Having a perfect path to successful treatment isn’t a likely scenario for most.
I have found that when I did speak with that verbiage and use the word ‘slip,’ that they’re more open to talk about it. It does kind of remove the shame. There is more accountability there, but it really doesn’t seem as harsh. So, then we can, from my experience with my clients, we can move and grow more.
Following the PGC treatment, casino workers found that the same issues that led to their problems were what helped them avoid returning to gambling.
While their work environment still involves witnessing others’ wins, it now also allows them to see the silent struggle in others, reminding them of their own battles.
About the Author
