Up to 64,000 Nevadans are problem gamblers

David Strow and Cy Ryan

Friday, March 22, 2002 | 11:13 a.m.

A study issued today, the first in-depth of its kind in Nevada, estimates there are 41,000 to 64,000 "probable pathological gamblers" in Nevada, or up to 6.4 percent of the state's population -- a percentage in line with previous estimates for the Las Vegas area.

The study, based on data in 2000, put the actual estimate for that year at between 41,100 and 63,900 people.

The report, prepared by Gemini Research Inc. of Northampton, Mass., said that in 2000 there were also between 32,700 and 53,000 residents who could be classified as "current problem gamblers."

The $200,000 study was authorized in 1998 by Legislative Interim Finance Committee and was presented today to a meeting in Las Vegas of a panel on problem gambling.

In a second report, Gemini said it found that 2.2 percent of adolescents were problem gamblers. And another 9.9 percent were at risk of developing gambling problems.

The adult survey was done by contacting 2,200 homes by telephone and then doing a follow-up of 733 persons with lengthier interviews.

Rachel Volberg of Gemini Research noted that other studies showed the pathological gambling rate in North Dakota was 2.1 percent in 2000 and 4.9 percent in Mississippi in 1996.

The adult study said problem gambling was highest among men between 18 and 34 years old and among minorities.

"Problem gambling prevalence rates are also high among those employed in the gaming industry, among those with a high school education or less and among those with an annual household income under $35,000," the report said.

Volberg also said problem gambling was higher among those who have lived in Nevada for 10 years or less compared with people who were born in this state.

Those questioned from different ethnic groups gave different reasons for gambling, said the report. "White and Hispanic respondents are most likely to say that entertainment is an important reason why they gamble while black respondents are most likely to say they gamble in order to win money.'

Gemini said "There are also differences in reasons that non-gamblers give for not gambling. Hispanic non-gamblers are most likely to refrain for moral reasons while black non-gamblers are mostly likely to refrain for financial reasons."

The report on adolescents said that 67 percent had made a bet before they reached 21 years old. And 49 percent had gambled in the past year and 7 percent bet on one or more types of gambling once a week or more often.

The study estimated there were between 1,700 and 4,000 adolescents who have "experienced severe difficulties related to their gambling in the past year and another 10,400 and 15,000 whose gambling has caused them some difficulties in the past year."

The prevalence of problem gambling is an issue that's been studied on a national level several times, with varying results. Before today, however, no official study, has examined the prevalence of problem gambling throughout Nevada.

In a 1999 study, UNLV researchers concluded that 6.6 percent of Clark County residents had some kind of gambling problem, using data from 20 years of telephone surveys with county residents.

The Nevada problem gambling study has been a long time in coming -- the legislature first appropriated $150,000 to conduct the survey in September 1998. Officials have said the study would help establish whether there is a need for the state of Nevada to provide funds to help treat problem gambling. The state is one of the few with legalized gambling that provides no public dollars to problem gambling treatment and research.

In discussing the adult survey, the report said problem gamblers are "significantly more likely to smoke daily and to use marijuana on a monthly basis" compared to non-problem gamblers.

And problem gamblers are more likely to have experienced depression when compared to non-problem gamblers.

The report said Nevada may want to consider a variety of programs to help solve the problem. It suggested extending health insurance coverage for problem gambling treatment; fostering policies by the gambling industry to more aggressively address the problem and establishing a gambling counselor certification program.

Nevada is one of the few states that does not publicly fund treatment for problem gamblers, and today's report could set the stage for a debate on whether the state should provide such funding.

Today's report did suggest money for state programs for public education and prevention services.