Session Title

Session 3-4-A: Problem Gambling and Crime

Presentation Type

Paper Presentation

Location

Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV

Start Date

25-5-2023 3:30 PM

End Date

25-5-2023 5:00 PM

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

Abstract:

In the wake of widespread introduction of electronic gaming machines, reports about the "feminization" of gambling began appearing in the 1990s as more women were gambling, developing problems, and seeking help for problems related to gambling than in the past. More recently, scholars have introduced the concept of 're-feminization of gambling' as females increasing enter the online gambling world. Despite a 20+ year increase in problem gambling among women and the well-established link between forensic populations and problem gambling, the literature base on problem gambling among female criminal offenders is very limited. This presentation will briefly review this literature and compare it to findings from a recent study jointly conducted by the Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) that examined gambling related differences between male and female adults in custody. The analyses revealed that within the study sample of 1,007 adults entering the ODOC, compared to males, female adults in custody were significantly more likely to be classified at the ‘high’ level of problematic gambling on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (50%). Further, 1 out of every 22 females, compared to 1 out of every 71 males, who went through the ODOC intake center during the 11-week study period reported that their current incarceration was primarily due to crimes committed in relation to a gambling disorder. Findings from the current study illuminate the importance of intervention efforts aimed at reducing gambling related harm among women.

Implications Statement:

The research to be presented focuses on an under-represented population within the problem gambling literature, female adults in custody for criminal offenses. Findings from the current study illuminate the importance of intervention efforts aimed at reducing gambling related harm among women.

Keywords

Problem gambling, disordered gambling, adults in custody, forensic populations, female gambling, women and gambling

Author Bios

Jeff Marotta has specialized in the field of problem gambling for 20+ years with over 100 publications and national presentations. Jeff has a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno and is an Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor II. Utilizing his background in research and evaluation, clinical practice, service administration, and program and policy development, he now serves as President and Senior Consultant with Problem Gambling Solutions, Inc., and Pacific University Graduate Faculty.

Glenn Yamagata is an economist and data scientist. For the past 7 years he has worked on problem gambling and related issues and has served as a consultant with Problem Gambling Solutions. He is currently on the Board of Directors of Voices of Problem Gambling Recovery. Previously, he was a management consultant at McKinsey & Co. and Director of Analytics at The Gap. He holds masters' degrees in economics and statistics from Yale University.

Greta Coe has worked for the State of Oregon, Behavioral Health Services, for the past 14 years. As Oregon’s Problem Gambling Services Manager, she has focused on innovative solutions for expanding services while managing a comprehensive problem gambling prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery system. Prior to coming to state government, she was a community health educator focusing on tobacco prevention, breast cancer prevention and worksite wellness.

Funding Sources

The research to be presented was funded by the Oregon Health Authority

Competing Interests

None

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May 25th, 3:30 PM May 25th, 5:00 PM

Sound the Alarms: Problem Gambling Among Incarcerated Women

Park MGM, Las Vegas, NV

Abstract:

In the wake of widespread introduction of electronic gaming machines, reports about the "feminization" of gambling began appearing in the 1990s as more women were gambling, developing problems, and seeking help for problems related to gambling than in the past. More recently, scholars have introduced the concept of 're-feminization of gambling' as females increasing enter the online gambling world. Despite a 20+ year increase in problem gambling among women and the well-established link between forensic populations and problem gambling, the literature base on problem gambling among female criminal offenders is very limited. This presentation will briefly review this literature and compare it to findings from a recent study jointly conducted by the Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) that examined gambling related differences between male and female adults in custody. The analyses revealed that within the study sample of 1,007 adults entering the ODOC, compared to males, female adults in custody were significantly more likely to be classified at the ‘high’ level of problematic gambling on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (50%). Further, 1 out of every 22 females, compared to 1 out of every 71 males, who went through the ODOC intake center during the 11-week study period reported that their current incarceration was primarily due to crimes committed in relation to a gambling disorder. Findings from the current study illuminate the importance of intervention efforts aimed at reducing gambling related harm among women.

Implications Statement:

The research to be presented focuses on an under-represented population within the problem gambling literature, female adults in custody for criminal offenses. Findings from the current study illuminate the importance of intervention efforts aimed at reducing gambling related harm among women.