It Happens Around The World and In The USA. “Teens Partake In Illegal Gambling.” Are You a Parent? What You Need To Know From This Study. . .

Happy 2024! I found this study that took place in Denmark, but I think we know this happening everywhere, not just in Denmark. Parents need to be “In The Know” by reading this article courtesy of my friends of “Casino Reviews” (dotnet) and written by Author, John Olanipekun …

When asked about the reasons why they opted for unlicensed sites, 37% claimed to be attracted by the availability of unique game types, 32% believed in higher paybacks and winnings, and 26% were enticed by larger bonuses.

 Danish Gambling Authority

Spillemyndigheden, the Danish Gambling Authority, has released details from its latest study, revealing that 15% of 15 to 17-year-old Danish teenagers have engaged in online gambling.

The figures were based on research conducted by Spillemyndigheden from November 24, 2022, to January 15, 2023, which sought to establish the number of Danes involved in online gambling. The survey also looked into the demographics of these gamblers, the frequency of gambling on unlicensed platforms, and the motivations behind selecting such sites.

The study surveyed 30,070 Danes aged 15 and above and received responses from 7,637 individuals.

Key Findings of the Study

The study revealed that 21.7% of the surveyed individuals engaged in online gambling over the past year, while the average expenditure on online gambling amounted to DKK 6,500., about $950 in US dollars.

Notably, 15% of minors aged between 15 and 17 were identified as participants in online gambling activities within the last year. Furthermore, 3.8% of respondents admitted to using illegal online gambling websites.

However, 8.6% of participants expressed uncertainty regarding the licensing status of the Live Casinos and gambling sites they used. Lotteries and scratch cards were the most popular form of gambling amongst the surveyed individuals at 13.4%. It is followed by sports betting at 8.7%. Online casino gambling was engaged in by 4.1%, while 0.7% participated in skins betting. 1.6% wagered on other forms.

Regarding unlicensed gambling, online casinos took the lead at 43.4%, followed by sports betting at 36%, skins betting at 34.2%, lotteries and scratch cards at 12.4%, and other types of gambling at 8.2%.

Motivations Behind Gambling Behavior

Insights into reasons for choosing licensed sites revealed that 57% valued better control and supervision, 48% cited the reliability and responsibility of the site, 45% appreciated the site being in Danish, 29% considered the site’s contribution to Danish taxes, 16% sought safeguards against problem gambling, and 9% favored better self-exclusion options.

When asked about the reasons why they opted for unlicensed sites, 37% claimed to be attracted by the availability of unique game types, 32% believed in higher paybacks and winnings, and 26% were enticed by larger bonuses.

Additionally, 23% chose unlicensed sites due to exclusion from licensed sites through the ROFUS, 21% were under 18, and 17% valued the absence of identification requirements. Lastly, 19% preferred better or different payment options.

Last December, Spillemyndigheden launched a nationwide campaign aimed at educating young people under the age of 18 about the risks associated with gambling. The motivation behind the campaign was largely fueled by the insights unveiled in the newly released report.


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I am celebrating my 16th year maintaining my recovery and journey from “Gambling Addiction” with having a Sale of my Memoir in Kindle version from Amazon! The Kindle is now only $1.99 for all of Jan and Feb. 2024. A little about my memoir, “Addicted To Dimes”…

If there is anyone you love and care about who may have a problem with gambling, gift them a copy of my book. It just may let them see the light of hurting themself and others with their gambling. http://www.amazon.com/Addicted-Dimes-Confessions-Liar-Cheat-ebook/dp/B00CSUJI3A/

Summary:
How did a good girl go bad?
A Gambling Addiction.

The book is based on a true story told in the author’s unbridled words, without polish or prose. It’s a memoir of how the author became addicted to gambling without any insights into how to recover from it.

Throughout the book, the author shares her haunting and captivating roots and underlying issues in a true tale of dark family secrets, abuse, childhood trauma, crime, and, ultimately, recovery.

By reading this book, one day at a time, one page at a time, you can learn about this remarkable and brave woman’s story of redemption.

Reflection:

Sweet Peace

“Within you is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.”

~Hermann Hesse

The Top 5 Misconceptions About Problem Gambling & Recovery By Advocate Catherine Lyon. Fact or Myth?

Since I have maintained long-term recovery from addicted gambling, the stigma and myths around this addiction continue to grow instead of diminishing. When advocating or speaking, I share that there is no shame in reaching out for help from this destructive disease at the end of my speech.

Yes, gambling addiction is a disease. Once you have lost control over your gambling, you have crossed the line into a full-blown addiction. We all know many things can be addictive, and we use them with no control, like food, coffee, sugar, gambling, drugs, and alcohol, but those are called the “preferences” we may choose to overuse and have no control over how much we use them.

Gambling is the same. That is what I was using, “gambling,” as a coping skill and escape then the slow progression of the disease of addiction began to happen. So I wanted to share my top 5 misconceptions and myths about gambling, problem gambling, and addicted gambling in hopes of debunking them through my experiences. These are the five most asked when mentoring others or speaking at events sharing my recovery from addicted gambling.

– Myth: Gambling addiction only affects the weak-willed or uneducated: 

I have heard almost all the myths and misconceptions about problem gambling and full gambling addiction. Through my experiences and years of advocacy work, mentoring, and sponsoring those in early recovery, addicted gambling can and will “touch” all walks of life in any capacity. It affects young and old, rich or poor, highly educated or not, and different working careers.

When I attended Gamblers Anonymous in my early recovery years, I met and supported many recovering gamblers, firefighters, lawyers, doctors, teachers, moms, dads, grandparents, seniors, teens, young adults, and myself, working in the banking industry for 21 + years. It can happen can and touch anyone.

There are a few precursors for some people to possible gambling problems like being raised in a family of problem gamblers, working in the gambling industry, and being around gambling all the time, or a person with untreated mental health issues all can be perfect candidates to have problems in life with gambling later.


– Myth: You can’t become addicted to something like gambling

Sadly, this myth is untrue. Too much of anything in excess opens the door to being addicted to it, like coffee or sugar. Gambling can be addictive as it is a stimulant in the brain to our pleasure and reward system. My gambling began slowly as a problem gambler. Spending too much time and money sometimes, but within a year or two, it became a full-blown addiction. 

Generally, others typically can gamble for a few hours of fun and entertainment. Still, I became a gambling addict for various reasons. I learned within treatment and therapy that I was using gambling as a coping skill and an escape from haunting childhood sexual trauma, pain, and abuse. 

It is a fact that one in five problem gamblers may try suicide. I know this fact to be true because I had two failed suicide attempts before I entered gambling treatment after spending 30 days in a crisis center twice. My friends at The North American Foundation for Gambling Addiction Help share that approximately 2.6% of the U.S. population has some gambling problems when they gamble often.

– Myth: People with gambling problems are easy to identify:

The fact is, most people can not spot a person who has a problem gambling.

There are no outward appearances as an alcoholic or drug abuser; their external actions show. Not so with addicted gambling. It is an addiction that requires no substance. It still is considered a “silent and hidden addiction.” However, I began to have problems with mood swings and obsessive behaviors. Those were the first signs my husband knew there was a problem.

I hid gambling from my spouse for several years, but my moods, attitude, and behaviors gradually became more extreme. I would be angry or argue with him if I had a bad day of gambling and lost money. I began having more anxiety and mild mania, which my husband noticed because I wanted to go back and gamble to win the money back! I was chasing my losses. Then I began hiding away household money my spouse didn’t know about to gamble with. I started to get late notices for unpaid bills in the mail. I knew then I had a gambling problem.
I had become sucked into “the cycle” of addiction.

– Myth: Gambling is only a problem when you lose every time.

When you have lost control of your gambling, you will lose money most of the time. It is called odds. The more you gamble, the odds of losing will go up. 

Once you are within “the cycle” of gambling addiction,’ the disease has you chasing your losses when you lose or if you win? You start thinking you will win all the time! 

And if you do win?

You will keep gambling until every penny is gone. 

I had done this for many years, deep within my gambling addiction. 

There can be some chemical, emotional and physical components to this myth. When I gambled, I could feel when my body would release dopamine which would keep me gambling more often and for more extended periods, and I would do so until the last penny was gone.

When I finally began treatment, I learned I was suffering from undiagnosed mental health disorders I did not know about. The mania came directly from gambling compulsively & obsessively for so long that it aided in my poor choices and thinking. Gambling is gambling regardless of whether you win or lose and can be just from a flip of a coin.

– Myth: Problem gambling isn’t a problem if the gambler can afford it: 

No one can truly afford to gamble if they are a problem or addicted gambler! 

I have learned this the hard way. This addiction is not about having the money to gamble or if you think you can afford to risk that amount of money. It is purely about the disease and the cycle of this addiction, especially when you cross the line into uncontrolled gambling. 

Believe me, if you continue to gamble and it becomes a full-blown addiction, the money will run out sooner or later. A perfect example of this fact, on October 1, 2017, in Las Vegas, Nevada, a shooting happened while a concert was going on, and the shooter began to fire rifle rounds from his 32nd-floor room at concertgoers. The shooter stayed at the famous hotel while attending a video poker tournament. 

We learned a few months later the shooter had lost a massive amount of money. Even though a family member told the news media that his brother was wealthy and could afford to gamble as much as he did, media news later reported he had big financial problems from the years of his compulsive gambling habit.  

For those like myself who couldn’t afford to gamble as much as I was, it financially devastated my spouse and me. The more money I risked through compulsive gambling, the less we would have for retirement and our future. 

I can tell you I have learned much wisdom and life lessons from that addiction and detour in my life. It is why I advocate today within honesty and transparency. There is NO SHAME in seeking help for this cunning and devastating addiction. If I can maintain recovery over 15+ years, I know anyone can!

~Catherine Lyon