This week, Harvard Medical School’s Division on Addictions released a report exploring the causes and prevalence of problem gambling entitled “Disordered Gambling: Etiology, Trajectory, and Clinical Considerations.” Despite the overly academic title, the study itself is a straightforward look at the root causes of problem gambling. The study concludes that, even with greater accessibility to gambling opportunities (lotteries, land-based casinos, Internet, etc.), the rate of problem gambling over the past 35 years has remained flat. 

Interestingly, the lead author’s previous work in this area has been cited erroneously by Internet poker opponents to claim that Internet poker is a gateway to addiction. Prof. Schaffer’s latest study clearly demonstrates that this is not the case. 

Chicago Tribune: The real effects of gambling
The full report is here

To be clear, problem gambling is a real issue for some. We encourage all of our members to be aware of their behaviors and to assess their poker play regularly. Please take a moment to visit the Responsible Poker resource page on the PPA website to learn more about being a smart poker player. 

With Congress remaining in session to handle the debt crisis, the PPA is taking advantage of the opportunity to meet with Representatives and staff to educate them on the merits of Internet poker legislation. Through our work this week, we have added six new cosponsors to H.R. 2366, the Online Poker Act of 2011. We expect next week to bring even more supporters — Republicans and Democrats alike — to the bill’s bipartisan cosponsor roll. 

Now more than ever we need you to be advocates for the game. Please take a moment early next week to call your member of Congress to tell them to support H.R. 2366. For talking points and a summary of the bill click here.

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DC Councilmember says online gambling needs to be repealed, plans to introduce legislation – Washington Post (07/19/2011)   Ongame launches cash poker on Android – EGaming Review (07/21/2011)   888 Considers Applying for Nevada Internet Poker License – Bloomberg (07/21/2011)   FTP bidder looks to buy UK and Irish assets only – EGaming Review (07/22/2011)   News in brief: Six new co-sponsors for Barton bill; French sports betting down one third – EGaming Review (07/22/2011)

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