App-rehensive: The Blurring Lines of Games and Gambling

Julie M. Hynes, MA, CPS2015 Massachusetts Conference on Gambling Problems

April 16, 2015

the

blurring lines of games and

gambling

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The complete slide deck & print-friendly handouts are posted at:

www.preventionlane.org/mass-conference

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Massachusetts Council on Compulsive GamblingOregon Problem Gambling ServicesJim WuelfingResearchersKelsey Jones, University of Oregon intern

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More than ever, behavioral health specialists need to be aware of technology and the issues that face populations from youth to those in recovery for addictions.

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Is our definition of “gambling” blurring?

Are youth at risk for disordered gambling by merely playing a free poker app?

Is a person in recovery at risk by playing frequent, often excessive, online social games?

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Analyze recent trends, technological issues and parallels related to gambling and gaming. Talk about how these issues put people at risk for harmful consequences.Name tools that can be used to help reduce the risk of harmful consequences of electronic games/gambling.

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This is focused mainly on GAMING/GAMBLINGconnections, but parallels are likely to be seen with many other internet/tech-related disorders.

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Some content here could present as a “trigger.”If you feel yourself starting to be triggered, please feel free to do whatever you need to do to feel safe.

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DIVING INTechnology, Trends & Tie-in’s

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Graphic source: http://www.cyber-scholar.com/

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Reasons for Play

Theme/Genre

Rewards & Reinforcements

Dopamine

Platforms

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Center photo: Daniel Berman.

TechnologySpeedPlatform

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As of January 2014* 90% of American adults have a cell phone58% of American adults have a smartphone42% of American adults own a tablet

computer

Source: Pew Internet Project*Latest data available, as of 2/4/15

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Week of February 6, 2015; Source: appdata.com

TECHNOLOGY

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Higher wagersInflated payoutsBetter odds

Most popular choice for youth

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(By the way, this was a “pop-up” ad on a children’s game.)

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Pop-up on my own kid’s game, Feb 2015

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“Addiction is not about what you DO, but what you DON'T DO because of the replacement of the addictive behavior.”

– Erin Hoffman, Video Game Designer

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“Executives love to hear the phrase "addictive gameplay.“ Game designers, speaking for myself and those I know… find the concept intriguing but simultaneously dangerous.”

– Erin Hoffman, Video Game Designer

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Article source: Life, Addictive Game Mechanics, And The Truth Hiding In Bejeweled. Image source: ea.com

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Article: imore.com

CompetitionConvenienceSpeed & intensityDiscovery – new contentNo real “Game Over” for many games“Relationships”

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THE LAWS(& Skirting Them)

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Made it illegal to make interstate SPORTS bets

While this is technically legal today at licensed racetracks, the government has cited the act to prevent ONLINE sports betting.

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Made it illegal for banks and credit card companies to allow money to be transferred to online casinos or gambling websites

Fostered growth in third party (PayPal-esque) accounts for money transfers

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ILLEGAL

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Individual states sometimes have very specific, restrictive laws about online gambling. Some states expressly prohibit online gambling by residents while others have no clear laws.

States currently with legalized online gambling: NV

NJ

DE

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Source: betclic.com40

RESEARCHThe connections.

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This is the first generation of widely available electronic gaming& gambling. We really don’t know the effects yet.

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highly frequent and problem players of both gambling machines and video games report entering dissociative-like states when playing.

(Jacobs 1988; Wood et al. 2007).

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“Internet Gaming Disorder” A condition warranting more clinical research and experience before it might be considered for inclusion in the main book as a formal disorder.

Source: http://www.dsm5.org/

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A sample of 1,178 youth in the U.S.: 8.5% of youth gamers were classified as “pathological gamers”>80% play video games at least occasionally“Pathological” gaming: (using 5 of 10 of DSM-IV; this was prior to DSM-5)

Gentile, D. (2009). Pathological video-game use among youth ages 8-18: A national study. Psychological Science, 20, 594-602. Click here for article.

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Gentile, 2009.

FAMILIAR CRITERIA

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Gentile, 2009

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n=3,034 – grades 3, 4, 7 & 8

9% pathological gaming

Less empathyMore impulsivity

Source: Gentile, Choo, Liau, et al. (2011). Pathological video game use among youth: A two year longitudinal study. Pediatrics, 127, e319-29

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ThePREFRONTAL CORTEX is the LAST PART to develop.

years old!

The brain is still

developinguntil

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What we know about youth

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Volberg, Hedberg & Moore, 2008

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Source: Brain Briefings (2007, October), Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC

Dopamine

Dopamine not released when expecting a loss.Flooded with dopamine when expecting a win!

It’s NOT about the money!

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Electronics: about the action. Sound familiar?

“ALMOST WINNING”: dopamine is activated the same as ACTUALLY winning.

Problem gamblers are more likely to see their near misses as “NEAR WINS”

People play LONGER when machines give them NEAR MISSES.

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Policy Recommendations & Practical Tools

1. Policy Level.Recommendations:

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Gambling-Like Monetized GamesResponsible Gaming FeaturesAge ControlsData Driven Research Education Of Players

From: Social Games Consumer Protection Guidelines, National Council on Problem Gambling (2013, Draft, v. 3)

1. Policy Level.Recommendations:

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2. Local Systems Level.

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Education integration: Addictions. Internet safety. Cyberbullying. Brain development.

Program/policy integration. Codes of conduct. Treatment recommendations.

1. Policy Level.Recommendations:

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2. Local Systems Level.3. Individual Level.

Hey man, you’ve been holed up for 8 hours. Let’s go eat.

Cu in 5

You told me to text you…remember your deal.

Shutup give me a few

OK OK

Jordan6:49PM

5:11PM

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Counselors: Be mindful of HIPAA!

By searching on the app store/Google play (etc.) for apps, mobile users can inadvertently trigger themselves

(Kind of like any online searches for help)DISCONNECT payment!

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Apps search example: “Quit gambling” (Android)

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Avoiding gaming when

H

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L

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ungry

ngry

onely

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CONTROLS: set them (your mobile carriers’, not just the device!)

CREDIT CARD: don’t link it. MONITOR: Keep computer use in open area –

if you can (desktop computer).

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TRUST

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Kimberly S. Young, PhD – Available on Amazon / Kindle

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expectations.

to your advantage.

Remember about when you need to shut the game off.

love u

Jordan. phone goes off. Now.

Minecraft, mom.

K

Mom9:46PM

9:31PM

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9:13 PM

9:45 PM

9:45 PM

9:46 PM

My 80’s Frogger game

Image source: eBay user duramax1989

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Check out the games/apps WITH your kids Play with your kids or sit with them while they play.

You will have fun and learn about their gaming, too. Check the ratings of the games your kids want to

play. Most games at retail stores are described and rated by the Entertainment Software Rating Board(ESRB). Use these ratings as you discuss the most appropriate games with your child or teen. Note that many of these ratings list “E” for everyone!

________________________

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Major mobile services (e.g., AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) offer family protection plans

Features include: GPS, purchase blocking, turning off browsing/data/texting, time of day, etc.

See www.preventionlane.org/online-safety for a list of helpful links to these services

Practicality alert: Some features CANNOT be blocked when user has access to WiFi (so…you may need to change your WiFi password often!)

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Pay attention to clues: restless, withdrawal, lack of interest, different friends, signs you know from problem gamblingINTERVENE if you see warning signs.

(Get intervention tips: www.drugfree.org/intervene)

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Ask those around you…especially young people,

for help!

And…last but not least!

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[email protected]

facebook.com/preventionlane

twitter.com/preventionlane

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