Gambling's Impact
- Alcohol and other drugs - Surveys indicate that forty-two to fifty-seven percent of those diagnosed as compulsive gamblers are also having problems with other drugs. Alcohol is the number one drug choice for gamblers. The Bottom Line on Alcohol in Society, Fall 1993.
- Suicide - "Illinois, Wisconsin, and New Jersey surveys [of Gamblers Anonymous members] have found that 79% wanted to die, 67% contemplated suicide, 49% had a definite plan to kill themselves, and 18% had attempted a potentially lethal suicide." Excerpt from Dr. Henry R. Lesieur's presentation to the National Council on Problem Gambling, September 1996.
- Casinos and crime - Casinos increased crime after a lag of three to four years; casinos increase all crimes except murder. The overall crime rated in countries with casinos are 8% higher that they would be without casinos. Earl Grinols, David Mustard, and Cynthia Dilley's Casinos and Crime, June 1999.
- Adolescent gambling - The National Research Center estimates that as many as 1.1 million adolescents between the ages of twelve and eighteen are pathological gamblers, which is a much higher percentage than adults. The National Gambling Impact Study Commission Report, June 1999, pp. 7-20.
- Abuse and neglect - The National Research Center cites two studies showing that between one quarter and one half of spouses of compulsive gamblers have been abused. Six of ten communities surveyed in NORC's case studies reported an increase in domestic violence relative to the advent of casinos. The National gambling Impact Study Commission Report, June 1999, pp. 7-27.
- Homelessness - "Individuals with gambling problems seem to constitute a higher percentage of the homeless population. A survey of homeless service providers in Chicago found that 33% considered gambling a contributing factor in the homelessness of people in their program." The National Gambling Impact Study Commission Report, June 1999, pp. 7-27.
- Gambling industry employees - Dr. Robert Hunter, a specialist in pathological gambling treatment, has estimated that 15% of gambling industry employees have a gambling problem. The National Gambling Impact Study Commission Report, June 1999, pp. 4-11.
- Pathological gamblers - "[According to the National Research Council] pathological gamblers engage in destructive behavior; they commit crimes, they run up large debts, they damage relationships with family and friends, and they kill themselves. With the increased availability of gambling and new gambling technologies, pathological gambling has the potential to become even more widespread." The National Gambling Impact Study Commission Report, June 1999, pp. 4-11.