Summary - Recent laws passed in Springfield mean that Evanston, IL could see electronic forms of gambling, like video poker, installed into the city's bars and restaurants. Although electronic gambling is perceived to be a good source of revenue for the community, it also comes with frequently underestimated public costs and potential social costs to be born by Evanston residents and workers. It is important for the Evanston community to understand the full costs of gambling before deciding whether to allow it.

The community must understand, and be prepared to respond to, the social costs of gambling before approving it in Evanston, says Urban Balance LLC counseling practice's Jennifer McComb. Jennifer is a licensed marriage and family therapist who has worked extensively with problem gamblers and their families. She has seen how devastating gambling can be for families and communities. “If gambling machines are installed in the Evanston community, problem gambling prevention programs should also be undertaken to raise awareness about the risks of gambling and direct the community to where they can seek help if gambling becomes problematic.”

McComb stresses that, like alcohol users, most people who gamble do not gamble problematically. For most, it is a form of entertainment that has no negative impact on their life. However, some people can become addicted to gambling. She notes, "It is estimated that approximately 3 to 4 percent of the population (6 to 8 million people) experience some gambling related problems."

However, McComb says, "Due to the lack of physical changes often associated with gambling, and the general lack of awareness about gambling related problems, families and employers are sometimes unaware of a gambling problem until it is disclosed by the gambler or when the negative consequences can no longer be hidden."

What are the typical warning signs that gambling is becoming a problem? McComb says the first red flags are when people start experiencing signs of dependence (i.e. not being able to stop) or negative consequences (i.e. financial loss, conflict with family) as a result of their gambling behaviors.

McComb provides familiar warning signs, which indicate gambling may have become a problem:

• Preoccupation with gambling
• Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired level of excitement
• Unsuccessful attempts to stop or cut down, becoming irritable when trying to cut down or stop
• Using gambling as a way to escape problems
• Trying to win your money back (often called 'chasing losses')
• Lying to family and friends to conceal gambling involvement
• Jeopardizing relationships and/or jobs
• Committing illegal acts to support gambling
• Relying on others to fund gambling

Although financial loss is usually associated with problematic gambling behaviors, it is not always. "I have worked with problem gamblers who experienced little, to no, financial consequences as a result of their gambling but whose lives were negatively impacted by it. The negative impacts included things such as: spending too much time away from family, being irritable when not gambling, poor work performance, and/or lying to a spouse about their whereabouts."

Finally, McComb says professional intervention can help problematic gambling behavior. "A therapist experienced working with problem gamblers can help assess the severity of a gambling problem, provide support to help the gambler cut down or stop gambling, and provide support for family members impacted by someone else’s gambling. Also, if someone is concerned about a loved one's gambling problem but can't persuade he or she to seek treatment, a professional can help those around the problem to protect themselves financially and find ways of coping with the stress they are experiencing."