Gambling In The Workplace

There are an estimated 400,000 compulsive gamblers in New Jersey alone Their disease affects over 350,000 spouses and almost 700,000 children, as well as other family members, friends, co-workers and employers

In 1997, more than 23,000 people called the 1-800-GAMBLER© Helpline for help. Most of the calls were from the gambler. Thirty percent of the calls were from family, friends, or employers. In the desperation phase, many gamblers borrow from co-workers or steal from their employers to get money for gambling.

Employees with a family history of alcohol, drug, or gambling problems are at greatest risk. An employee who is in recovery from another addiction is especially vulnerable.

Managers, supervisors and co-workers can be made aware of the danger signs of compulsive gambling. Employee assistance personnel who provide information  on this addiction can help to prevent gambling problems in the workplace.

Time Signs of Compulsive Gambling Include:

• Chronically late for work.
• Unexplained absences or disappearances from work.
• Leaves work early to gamble or meet bookie.
• Reads gambling related material openly.
• Excessive use of sick days.
• Vacation time centered around gambling activity.
• Does not take vacation time in large block.
• Takes long lunch hours and breaks to play cards, buy lottery tickets, or other forms of gambling for money.
• Frequently requests breaks to use phone.

"Even though mine is basically a desk job, if I got a hot tip I would invent outside appointments in the
middle of the day so I could get to the track. Or I would just leave my desk for a half hour or so to call my bookie-" -Earl (insurance sales)

Financial Signs of Compulsive Gambling Include:

• Borrows money from co-workers
• Argues with co-workers about money owed to them
• Frequently requests advances in salary
• Numerous company credit union loans
• Credit card or loan billings mailed to work rather than home
• Family inquiries about salary
• Requests pay instead of vacation time
• Theft of company owned merchandise or property
• Use of petty cash to float an overnight loan
• Falsifies expense accounts

"I would call in sick, usually after a week-end, to stay at the casinos and play- Everyone laughed and called it the 'Atlantic City flu'- By the time [my employer) confronted me about the missing petty cash and altered client accounts, I had gambled and lost over $500,000 of embezzled funds."

Hope for Recovery
The goal of the Council is to inform and motivate health care professionals, legislators, educators and community members regarding the full scope of compulsive gambling in the State of New Jersey, so that we may serve in identification, prevention, and referral capacities related to compulsive gambling

Signs of Gambling Activity At Work Include:

• Organizing office pools and/or sports pools
• Listening to or watching sports events while on the job
• Making book for other employees, including the employer
• Receiving phone calls or visits from bookies, creditors, or gambling friends while on the job
• Arranging card games for money during lunch hour or breaks

"Almost everyone in the Company knew me. If I wasn't organizing an office pool, I was acting as a runner for my bookie, or running the card games at lunch. If there was any action, I was in on it-or knew about it. Pete was the first person most of them met. I was even more popular than payroll"
-Pete (Customer service representative)

The Illness
Since 1980, compulsive (pathological) gambling has been classified by the American Psychiatric Association as a diagnosable and treatable illness.

Compulsive gambling is a progressive behavior disorder characterized by a psychologically uncontrollable preoccupation and urge to gamble. This need to gamble excessively results in the loss of productive time and money. Unless treated, the gambling will reach the point where it compromises, disrupts and then destroys the gambler's personal and professional life. These problems further intensify the gambling behavior.

To the compulsive, gambling offers an easy solution to some of life's most pressing problems: insufficient money, little prestige or self esteem, feelings of boredom or failure, hopelessness and defeat. At the center of the disease is a certainty that the gambler must lose. With continued losses, there is an increase of those very problems which led to gambling in the beginning. This increases the pressures (and the stakes) so that the gambling continues more heavily and more frequently. To the compulsive gambler, the need to bet becomes the primary thought in his or her life.

The Progression
Compulsive gambling has three phases:

• The Winning Phase (Search for Action). Wins enhance self-esteem and ego. Losses are rationalized as bad luck, or poor advice. The gambler will frequently describe "The Big Win."
• The Losing Phase (The Chase). As losses increase and self-esteem is jeopardized, the gambler will borrow money to "get even", hiding losses and borrowing even more. Lies, loan fraud, absenteeism, family disputes and job changes are common danger signals.
• The Desperation Phase. The gambler becomes obsessed with covering stolen money, withdrawals from family bank accounts, and secret loans. He or she panics at the thought that the gambling action will end if the credit or bailouts stop. The gambler will often turn to illegal activities to support the addiction. He or she can experience severe mood swings. Suicide may be contemplated as a way out.

Performance Signs of  Compulsive Gambling May Include:

• Decline in grooming habits; appears sleepy; eyes
  bloodshot
• Appears depressed and/or anxious
• Decrease in capability and efficiency
• Preoccupied, lack of concentration
• Assignments frequently not completed
• Absent from meetings; late for appointments
• Reluctant to take any time off
• Complains about family or other personal problems, especially money difficulties

Dan was an almost perfect employee. He was always at his desk, came in early ...stayed late.
He said he was "throwing himself into work. I realized he was gambling, that he had stolen almost $300,000 from us."

So, who can help you with some of these issues?
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc. can!
We can provide the following services:

1-800-GAMBLER© Helpline, giving people who have a gambling problem (or those who care about them) a place to turn for help;

• Speakers for special interest and civic organizations;
• In-service programs and workshops to educate health care, business, and school professionals;
• Regional conferences and an annual Statewide Conference on Compulsive Gambling;
• Referrals to counseling and treatment programs specifically for compulsive gambling.
• Give us a call and let us start working with you today:
• Main number (609) 588-5515 ext. 10; Edward Looney, Executive Director ext. 17