I’m frequently asked why we as an organization take the position that gambling is not “family friendly.”  Wisconsin Family Council’s primary mission is to strengthen and preserve marriage and family.  When we see situations that have proven track records of hurting families and destroying marriages, we believe it is important that we sound an alarm.  Gambling definitely fits that description.

Gambling has evolved in Wisconsin and with its evolution and growth have increased problems.  In 1993, coinciding with the expansion of gambling in the state, in particular casinos, the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling was formed and funded. Now, funds for this organization come exclusively from Indian casino profits. 

I find that quite ironic.  As the state agrees to expand gambling, they know they are asking for trouble; so they create an organization specifically to help problem gamblers and appropriate money.  Remember that the state gets money from the casinos by virtue of the compacts we have entered into with the tribes.  As the casinos increase their take, the state gets more money for the budget.

Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling annually releases statistics from its work.  All of the numbers for 2011 are not yet available, but here are some from 2010, from the Council’s Fact Sheet, available on their web site, wi-problemgamblers.org.  The Council estimates that over 333,000 Wisconsin residents have a gambling problem, which is defined as affecting their finances, their families, and their employment.  This number is conservative but still represents over 5% of Wisconsin’s total population and nearly 8% of our over-18 population. 

Calls to the Council’s 24-hour Helpline have increased 319% since 1996, the first year the line was implemented.  In 2010, the Helpline received a record-setting 14,380 calls. In 2011, those calls dropped slightly to just over 13,500.  According to the 2010 Fact Sheet, the average debt of callers contacting the Helpline was $43,843.  However, hang on, the Council reported just last week that in 2011, the average reported debt from callers was a staggering $157,074! 

Experts seem to agree that in this rough economy, more people are trying to get out of economic difficulties by gambling and instead of improving their situation, they are making it significantly worse.

Some more statistics:  female gamblers calling the Helpline have increased 213% since 1996, gambling-related embezzlements continue to rise in Wisconsin, 65% of compulsive gamblers commit crimes to finance their gambling, 6-20% of adolescents develop gambling problems, suicide rates are 20 times higher among pathological gamblers compared to non-gamblers, and people who have other addictions are at a higher risk of becoming addicted to gambling.

None of the statistics I have just cited are good for families.  Studies continue to show that gambling increases the likelihood of family breakdown through divorce, increases the likelihood of child abuse and neglect as well as domestic violence.  Talk about high-stakes.   Families are the ones who end up being the biggest losers, which becomes a significant loss for everyone since fragmented families cost taxpayers millions of dollars every year.

Problem gambling is growing in Wisconsin.  The Internet is becoming more and more of a means for people to gamble—in private, without leaving their homes. Casinos, thanks to former Governor Jim Doyle, have increased their games and their hours.  And the tribes are always pushing for more casinos, even for off-reservation sites.  Those who run gambling enterprises are in it for one reason—to make money, lots of money.  The odds are stacked against those who play the games—always. The “house” wants people to lose. What the gamblers don’t understand is that they stand to lose a lot more than money when they play this very high-stakes game.  And that’s why Wisconsin Family Council believes gambling is a very bad bet for families.

This is Julaine Appling for Wisconsin Family Council reminding you the prophet Hosea said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”