Tuesday, October 17, 2006

I am a pathological gambler. You may not recognize me as such, but I may be
your co-worker, teammate, close relative or dear friend. My doctor has
diagnosed my problem based on the following criteria set by the American
Psychiatric Association. Preoccupation: I am preoccupied with gambling,
reliving past gambling experiences, planning my next gambling venture, or
thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble. Tolerance: I need to
gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the excitement I
desire. Escape: I gamble as a way to escape from my problems or relieving
unpleasant moods of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression. Chasing:
After losing money gambling, I often return another day in order to get
even, but I end up only chasing my losses. Lying: I lie to my family,
friends, therapists and others to conceal the extent of my involvement with
gambling. Loss of control: I have made repeated efforts to control, cut back
or stop my gambling, but without success. Illegal acts: I have committed
illegal acts of forgery, fraud, theft and embezzlement in order to finance
my gambling. Risked significant relationships: I have jeopardized or lost a
significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of
my gambling. Bailout: I must now rely on others to provide money to relieve
my desperate financial situation caused by my gambling. I understand that
there are at least 1,200 pathological gamblers like me, and as many as 2,500
problem gamblers on Guam today. I know it's because we already have gambling
like bingo, lotteries, cockfighting, poker games, pachinko and greyhound
racing. Each one of us on average is $70,000 in debt, has stolen $130,000
and will cost our island taxpayers $10,000 to $30,000 each year in
socioeconomic costs.
A majority of us wish we were dead; two-thirds of us have thought of
committing suicide; half of us have made suicide plans; one-fifth of us will
make an attempt, and, sadly 1 percent of us will commit suicide. More than
half of us have been divorced, one-fifth of us will file for bankruptcy, and
one-sixth of us will end up in jail.

I never wanted to be a pathological gambler. I was introduced to gambling as
a youth, and after that first "win" had increasing legal and illegal
opportunities to gamble. Then I got hooked on more dangerous forms of
gambling, like poker machines, and obviously I am unable to control this
addiction.

I hear there is a proposal to bring slot machine gambling to Guam Greyhound.
If this occurs, it will double the number of pathological and problem
gamblers like me.