This document provides a summary of a webinar presentation on emerging forms of gambling, including daily fantasy sports, loot crates, and esports gambling. The objectives are to analyze how these new electronic forms relate to gambling and addiction, and to select tools for prevention and treatment settings. The presentation covers topics like the legal definitions and blurry lines of gambling; recent laws and their unintended consequences; concerns around concepts like freemium gaming and near misses; risk factors and the brain science of dopamine; and protections at the policy, community, and individual levels.

1. Julie M. Hynes, MA, RD, CPS
AdCare Maine Webinar | January 17, 2018
Keeping pace with
the Ever-Changing
Tides
of
gambling

2. The complete slide
deck & print-friendly
handouts are posted at:
www.preventionlane.org/AdCare
1:07 PM

3. OBJECTIVES
• analyze various workings of recent electronic forms of
gambling, including daily fantasy sports, “loot crates,”
and esports gambling.
• explain how new electronic types of games relate to
gambling, problem gambling, and other addictions.
• select at least three tools to implement in broader
prevention and/or treatment settings.

4. TRIGGER WARNINGS
There may be content here that
could present as a trigger to some.
Please take care of yourself
and give yourself a break if needed.

5. RECENT FORMS
OF GAMBLING
PART 1.

6. - GAMIFICATION
- MARKETING
- BLURRINESS
Lottery machine at Sea-Tac Airport

7. We don’t think of
these things as
gambling.
Therefore, we don’t
think
our young people
are gambling.

8. Definition: Gambling
__________ something of value
in the ______________________
something of greater value.
hopes of obtaining
Risking
Source: American Psychiatric Association - DSM-5 (2013).

9. 1. PRIZE:
BLURRING LINES?
2. CHANCE:
3. CONSIDERATION:
Anything of value the sponsor awards in a promotion.
(Example: goods/services with a monetary value or
items of value.)
A process beyond the participant's direct control
determines the outcome. (Example: an instant-win
game at a fast food restaurant.)
Requires money or significant effort.
(Example: attending a sales
presentation.)

10. This = ILLEGAL in most states

11. Laws: Professional & Amateur Sports
Protection act (PASPA) of 1992
• Outlawed sports betting in most of the United States, with
exception of four grandfathered states: Nevada, Delaware,
Montana and Oregon
• Currently only Nevada allows traditional sports betting through
licensed bookmakers
• Supreme Court of U.S. currently reviewing PASPA – decision
likely this Spring

12. Laws: Unlawful Internet Gambling
Enforcement Act of 2006
• Made it illegal for banks and credit card companies to allow
money to be transferred to online casinos or gambling websites
• Special carve-out EXEMPTING fantasy sports
• Unintentionally fostered growth of daily fantasy sports…

13. This = LEGAL in most states
[Here’s our super duper quick coverage of daily fantasy sports]

14. “Game of ______________”
KEY ARGUMENT OF
DAILY FANTASY SPORTS INDUSTRY
Thrones??SKILL.

15. LET’S LOOK AT “FREEMIUM.”
FREE* APPS…
* (WITH “IN-APP
PURCHASES.”)

16. REAL MONEY FOR PRETEND MONEY / PRIZES

17. AND CANDY!

18. OOH!
WAYS TO LEVEL
UP FASTER!
TYPICAL FREEMIUM SCENARIO:
Source: Custer, R. & Rosenthal, M.
&@*$#!
IT’S GETTING
HARDER.
WOOHOO!
COOL FREE
GAME!

19. Source: statista.com
Most popular Apple
App Store
Categories in
October 2017, by
share of available
apps
IN-APP purchases=
$9 in every $10
spent!

20. TRADITIONAL SPORTS ESPORTS
ESPORTS = COMPETITIVE VIDEO GAMING
Etc… Etc…And new games keep coming…

21. NOV. 2017 BLIZZCON - >30K ATTENDEES

22. Source: “Competitive video
gaming will be a $1.5 billion
industry by 2020, researchers
say,” Jeff Dunn / Business
Insider / 3/27/17
http://www.businessinsider.com
/esports-popularity-revenue-
forecast-chart-2017-3

23. GAMBLING ON ESPORTS.
2. Betting “skins” on games
that can be purchased and
sold for real money
1. Betting on
professional gaming
teams
Image source: csgostash.com
3. Fantasy leagues
2017 Overwatch World Cup
Image source: pcgamer.com

24. “SKINS” BETTING:
REAL MONEY FOR VIRTUAL STUFF.
Esports betting = ~$2.3 billion market.
Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-virtual-guns-counterstrike-gambling/

25. Prize.
Chance.
Consideration.

26. LET’S TALK LOOT BOXES / LOOT CRATES
• Any kind of game
(PC, mobile, XBox,
etc.)
• Mystery prizes
• Pay in tokens or
money
• A form of
“microtransaction”

28. CONCERNS.
PART 2.

29. RECALLING PROBLEM GAMBLING
AS ON A CONTINUUM.
No
Gambling
Experimentation
Recreational
At-risk
Problem Gambling
(AKA “Gambling Disorder”)

31. GAMING ADDICTION THE DSM?
Not yet.
“INTERNET GAMING DISORDER” (IGD) is…
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. Washington, D.C: Author.

32. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION:
Coming Soon in the ICD-11:
Gaming Disorder
Source: World Health Organization. (2018). ICD-11 Beta Draft. https://icd.who.int/dev11/l-
m/en#/http%3a%2f%2fid.who.int%2ficd%2fentity%2f1448597234

33. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION:
Coming Soon in the ICD-11:
Hazardous Gaming
Source: World Health Organization. (2018). ICD-11 Beta Draft. https://icd.who.int/dev11/l-
m/en#/http%3a%2f%2fid.who.int%2ficd%2fentity%2f1448597234

34. Much like the
technology
itself,
research
is new.

35. Struggle with
cutting back
Job/school
problems.
Withdrawal/
isolation
Preoccupation
Change in
friends
SIMILARITIES IN
SIGNS OF A PROBLEM.
Unusual
amount of $ or
$ problemsUsing it as
an escape $!

36. LIKELY SHARED GAMING
RISK FACTORS.
Availability/
Convenience
Speed &
Intensity
Anonymity &
Isolation.
Discovery
(always new
stuff)
Competition
Stakes:
Rewards &
ReinforcementsDissociation
& Escape. $!

37. SOCIAL CASINO GAMING &
GAMBLING:
• Those who play social games are more likely to
gamble, and have gambling problems1
• Those who engage in “micro-transactions are
far more likely to migrate to “real” gambling.
Gainsbury, S., Russell, A., King, D.L., ; Delfabbro, P., Hing, N. (2016, October).
Migration from social casino games to gambling: Motivations and characteristics of gamers who gamble.
Computers in Human Behavior, 63, pp.59-67

38. (Hodgins et al. 2010; Kraus et al. 2003; Najavits et al. 2010; Petry and Steinberg 2005;
Taber et al. 1987)
Exposure to early childhood
trauma has consistently been
associated with disordered
gambling.

39. Source: Brain Briefings (2007, October), Society for Neuroscience, Washington, DC
GAMING/GAMBLING & DOPAMINE
J. Hynes | 11/16/17 | www.preventionlane.org/newyork
Dopamine not released when expecting a loss.
Flooded with dopamine when expecting a win
It’s NOT about the money!

40. THE CONNECTIONS
MAKE SENSE.
“ALMOST
WINNING”:
dopamine is
activated the
same as
ACTUALLY
winning.
Problem
gamblers are
more likely to
see their near
misses as
“NEAR WINS”
People play
LONGER
when
machines
give them
NEAR
MISSES.

41. PREFRONTAL CORTEX =
LAST PART to develop.
ADOLESCENT BRAIN =
sensitive to DOPAMINE.
25years old!
The brain
is still
developing
until

42. THE FREEMIUM ISSUE.
Adolescents playing simulated
gambling games more likely
to later move to real gambling…
…and are also more likely to have later
gambling problems
King et al., 2010

43. OK…SO
THEN
WHAT?

44. a. Broad systems.
PROTECTIONS:

45. POLICY, ADVOCACY & COALITION BUILDING.
NATL COUNCIL PROB GAMBLING
• Consumer protection
guidelines
• Amendments for
fantasy sports
legislation

46. NATL COUNCIL PROB GAMBLING
NCPG Prevention Committee:
Has a new “Emerging Trends”
task group. Info:
www.ncpgprevention.org
POLICY, ADVOCACY & COALITION BUILDING.

47. ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE
RATINGS BOARD
Log concerns and requests at:
http://www.esrb.org/consumer_online_hotline.asp
Talking points at:
http://www.preventionlane.org/video-games-loot-
boxes-esrb-gambling
POLICY, ADVOCACY & COALITION BUILDING.

48. a. Systems/policy level.
52
b. Local systems level.
Protections:

49. PREVENTION
• Youth: More than “Do you gamble.”
• Key informants: community
readiness survey.
• Community: Attitudes about
gambling.
APPROPRIATE SURVEYS.

50. TREATMENT
Screening! SBIRT?
Policy: Working to get problem
gambling treatment providers being
able to provide services for (and
BILL for!) individuals with gaming
problems
SCREENING & SERVICES.

51. FOR THOSE WHO CAN:
Engaging community members &
partners to advocate on any laws
involving online gambling / fantasy
sports (can use NCPG guidelines as a
tool).
POLICY & ADVOCACY.

52. a. Systems level.
b. Local systems level.
c. Ground level.
Protections:

53. FOR PEOPLE IN
RECOVERY:
• Friends
• Sponsors
• Etc
Hey man, you’ve been holed up
for 8 hours. Let’s go eat.
Cu in 5
You told me to text
you…remember your deal.
Shutup give me a few
OK OK
Jordan
6:49PM
5:11PM
Counselors: Be mindful
of HIPAA, ethics codes!

54. HELPFUL APPS IN GENERAL:
• Mindfulness apps – those that encourage
breathing, meditating, etc.
• Exercise apps – physical activity to encourage
natural dopamine release and reduce stress.
• Recovery apps (SoberTool, etc.)
• Use caution if concerned about screen addiction.
• Moderation is key!!

55. FOR ADDICTED GAMERS:
GAME QUITTERS:
www.gamequitters.com
Super duper helpful resource.

56. Ï SET MOBILE CONTROLS: set them (your
mobile carriers’, not just the device!)
Ï WATCH YOUR CREDIT CARD: don’t link it to--
or unlink it from--your phone!!
Ï MONITOR BEHAVIOR: Keep computer use in
open area – if you can (desktop computer).
Use monitoring apps to monitor apps!
Other tips for those in recovery
& in general

57. AWARENESS/EDUCATION
Include gambling
in conversations
about alcohol &
other drugs, AND
technology.
PARENTS, EDUCATORS, KIDS.
Download free fact sheet:
http://www.preventionlane.org/maine

58. COMMUNICATE
expectations.
USE TECH
to your
advantage.
Remember about when you
need to shut the game off.
☺ love u
Jordan. Off. Now.
It’s LoL, mom.
K
Mom
9:46PM
9:31PM
62
9:13 PM
9:45 PM
9:45 PM
9:46 PM

59. 63
MONITORING

60. MONITORING
Ï Check out the games/apps WITH your kids
Ï Play with your kids or sit with them while they play.
You will have fun and learn about their gaming, too.
________________________

61. MOBILE DEVICES & PARENTAL
CONTROLS
Ï Major mobile services (e.g., AT&T, T-Mobile,
Verizon) offer family protection plans
Ï Features include: GPS, purchase blocking, turning
off browsing/data/texting, time of day, etc.
Ï See www.preventionlane.org/online-safety for a list
of helpful links to these services
65
Practicality alert: Some features CANNOT be blocked when user has
access to WiFi (so…you may need to change your WiFi password
often!)

62. “Addiction is not about what you DO, but
what you DON'T DO because of the
replacement of the addictive behavior.”
– Erin Hoffman, Video Game Designer
And ensure there are
OTHER THINGS TO DO.

63. WHEN TO ACT.
Ï Pay attention to clues: restlessness,
withdrawal, lack of interest, different
friends, signs you’ve learned about alcohol
& other drug behaviors
Ï INTERVENE if you see warning signs.
(Get intervention tips:
www.drugfree.org/intervene)

64. LAST, BUT NOT LEAST:
Stay engaged &
listen to your gut!

65. facebook.com/preventionlane
@HynesUO
@PreventionLane