Session Title

Session 1-4-A: Collaborating among Problem Gambling Stakeholders

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation

Location

Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV

Start Date

23-5-2023 3:45 PM

End Date

23-5-2023 5:15 PM

Disciplines

Community Psychology | Counseling Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

Many jurisdictions maintain a confidential helpline for problem gamblers and their loved ones. Dr. Derevensky will present the demographic characteristics and concerns of individuals calling the Florida Multilingual Helpline for Problem Gamblers. Specific attention will address the precipitating reasons for calling the HelpLine, gender, age and racial differences, the types of gambling most problematic, the age of onset of gambling problems, financial information (gambler’s income, money lost to gambling, to whom debts are owed), illegal acts committed by the gambler, legal consequences resulting from problem gambling, and the gambler’s mental health, emotional and domestic difficulties. Based upon the information provided by the contact (telephone calls, text messages, emails), a variety of recommendations are provided. This presentation will examine the various recommendations provided both to the gamblers and his/her significant others. The efficacy of these recommendations for the problem gambler are discussed.

Keywords

Problem Gambling Problem Gambling HelpLines

Author Bios

Jeffrey L. Derevensky, Ph.D., is James McGill Professor, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology and Professor, Department of Psychiatry at McGill University Dr. Derevensky has published widely in the field of gambling, adolescence, behavioral addictions and developmental psychopathology for over 30 years. He has been awarded multiple international awards for his research, clinical and training work and is a consultant to manty hospitals, governmental agencies and gambling operators.

Jennifer Kruse, M.B.A. is currently Director of the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG). Among her many roles at the FCCG, she has the responsible for running the state funded multilingual HelpLine service for problem gamblers and their families.

Funding Sources

State of Florida funds services and evaluations

Competing Interests

N/A

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May 23rd, 3:45 PM May 23rd, 5:15 PM

Understanding who is calling a problem gambling helpline: Data from the Florida Problem Gambling Helpline

Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV

Many jurisdictions maintain a confidential helpline for problem gamblers and their loved ones. Dr. Derevensky will present the demographic characteristics and concerns of individuals calling the Florida Multilingual Helpline for Problem Gamblers. Specific attention will address the precipitating reasons for calling the HelpLine, gender, age and racial differences, the types of gambling most problematic, the age of onset of gambling problems, financial information (gambler’s income, money lost to gambling, to whom debts are owed), illegal acts committed by the gambler, legal consequences resulting from problem gambling, and the gambler’s mental health, emotional and domestic difficulties. Based upon the information provided by the contact (telephone calls, text messages, emails), a variety of recommendations are provided. This presentation will examine the various recommendations provided both to the gamblers and his/her significant others. The efficacy of these recommendations for the problem gambler are discussed.