Massachusetts Statewide Gambling Behavior, Opinions, and Needs Assessment

By Sasha Russell, Communications Program Specialist, Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling

On Thursday, September 19, 2013, the Council and the Massachusetts Partnership on Responsible Gambling presented a legislative briefing, in the Member’s Lounge of the State House, to share the results of the Massachusetts Statewide Gambling Behavior, Opinions, and Needs Assessment, which was conducted through a representative online panel. 

The briefing was sponsored by House and Senate Chairs of the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Representative Elizabeth A. Malia (D-Jamaica Plain, Eleventh Suffolk) and Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem, Second Essex). The survey gives an overview of gambling behaviors across the Commonwealth, as well as the opinions of Mass. residents on gambling and expanded gambling. The information will be used by the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling to: identify needs, and help guide program development, education efforts, treatment, referral, family support, marketing, and advocacy. About 50 legislatures and staff members were in attendance, as well as several media outlets.

For Communications Specialist, Sasha C. Russell, and the Communications Interns, Thalia Yunen and Sean Crowley, this event was a first-time experience. Russell noted, “It was great to see so many legislatures and staff members come out to learn and show support for the Mass. Council, and our efforts. They play such an important role in the State, and with our organization. Without their support, and willingness to listen, we wouldn’t be able to accomplish as much as we do. Hopefully after listening to and looking over the assessment results, the support will be stronger, and we’ll be able to achieve so much more.”

Crowley agreed, and recognized that this is an important and exciting time in terms of expanding and building capacity for those experiencing problems with gambling, and their loved ones. “The results,” said Crowley, “Are important and relevant to the future of expanded gambling in Massachusetts.”

Research and Data Director, Phil Kopel, was the lead researcher for the report. The report’s abstract reads: 

With the legalization of casinos, large-scale legal gambling in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is about to radically change. The introduction of up to four casino-resorts in Massachusetts, a state which has the most lucrative lottery system in the country, will likely generate significant social and economic changes. In order to mitigate any negative effects in the future, it is necessary to understand the current level of gambling behavior within the Commonwealth… This study examines current gambling behavior and attitudes towards a variety of legal and illegal gambling activities across these gambler groups, will identify problem gambling issues, and serves as a needs assessment.

Findings include:

·         Males are significantly more likely to be Problem and Probable Pathological gamblers than females. 

·         Those in the 25 to 34 age group appear more likely to be higher-risk gamblers, 50 -64 years olds are more likely to be social gamblers and those 65+ are the least likely to be Probable Pathological.

·         White non-Hispanic and Black populations appear to have similar prevalence by gambler types.

·         Asians are significantly less likely to gamble in comparison to the general population.  However, among those who do, they are significantly more likely to be Probable Pathological gamblers in comparison to the state average.  (The Asian population is very diverse across nationalities, languages, geography and education).

·         The Latino population appears to have a significantly lower rate of gamblers, and those who do gamble appear more likely to be Social gamblers than the general population.  (This study obtained a relatively small sample of the Latino population (6.0% surveyed identified as Hispanic vs. 16.1% Census in Massachusetts).

·         Problem and Probable Pathological gamblers show no significant household income distribution differences than Social gamblers.

·         Probable Pathological Gamblers are somewhat more likely to have a high school education or less. Non-gamblers are more likely to have a graduate degree than the state average.

·         Approximately 4% of those classified as Social gamblers stated that they never gambled, indicating that they do not see playing the lottery as gambling.

·         As many as 69% of Probable Pathological gamblers and 47% of Problem gamblers have at least one other person in their life who has had a gambling problem. Comparatively, about 26% of Social gamblers have at least one other person in their life who has had a gambling problem.

·         Probable Pathological gamblers often have a variety of self-destructive behaviors.  Problem gamblers have far fewer self-destructive factors than Probable Pathological gamblers..  Yet as many as 75% of Problem gamblers stated that they have gambled more than intended, and 69% felt guilty about their gambling on occasion.

·         As many as 48% of Probable Pathological gamblers and 13% of Problem gamblers have borrowed money to pay gambling debts, compared with 0% of those classified as Social gamblers.

·         More than one-half of Probable Pathological gamblers identified having at least one other problem behavior.  31% have had a drug problem, 24% have had an alcohol problem, 17% have had a sex addiction problem, 6% have had a problem stealing, and 4% have shoplifted.  All of these problem behaviors are significantly higher than the other gambling classifications.

·         A majority of Probable Pathological gamblers are late paying bills, smoke cigarettes, feel depressed or hopeless, lack self-confidence or feel bad about themselves, and are generally dissatisfied with life.  In addition, many of them also have difficulties managing their responsibilities at home, drink alcohol to excess, regularly speed when driving, and abuse drugs.

·         Social gamblers have a higher prevalence of cigarette smoking than Non-gamblers.  However, they have a lower prevalence of depression and dissatisfaction with life and a higher rate of self-confidence than Non-gamblers. 

·         A higher percent of Probable Pathological gamblers indicated that they had a strong education with respect to owning a bank account compared with Social gamblers.  However, just 62% of Probable Pathological gamblers say they generally live within their means.  This is significantly lower than the 78% of Problem gamblers, 87% of Social gamblers and 84% of Non-gamblers who say they generally live within their means.

·         A higher percentage of Probable Pathological gamblers indicated receiving more education about the likelihood of losing money at a casino compared with Social and Problem gamblers. However, there appears to be a high correlation between Problem gamblers, and their loved ones, with problem gambling behavior and comorbidity issues as more prominent factors than just financial literacy.

The information in the report will be used by the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling to grow capacity, specifically: identify needs, and help guide program development, education efforts, treatment, referral, family support, marketing, and advocacy.  

You can download the full report on our website.

Check out WWLP’s report on the event. 

Listen to WAMC’s radio report about the survey.