In 2002, problem gamblers between the ages of 18 and 25 lost anaverage of $30,000 each year and accumulate $20,000 to $25,000 incredit card debt, according to the California Council on ProblemGambling.
These numbers have no importance to Donna, but 24 does. It's herlucky number, the one she relies on during her weekly trip toTunica,. Donna, 23, former University of Memphis student,compulsively gambles at casinos and plays poker online with hercredit card.
"I went to give (blood) plasma once, so that I could haveanother $20 to gamble with. Or I've gone to those cash advanceplaces," Donna said. At least twice this year her roommate coveredDonna's half of the rent, because she didn't have it on time.
Donna's luck runs in extremes -- she'll win big, say $2,000 once-- or she'll lose big. Donna's been able to use her winnings to buythings she couldn't normally afford, but she acknowledges that shehas lost more often than she has won. She said "the excitement ofnot knowing whether or not you're gonna win or lose," and the"adrenaline rush" keep her from stopping when gambling.
"When I'm at the casino, I forget everything else--I don't evenknow the time of day," Donna said.
Donna is just one part of a bigger trend of college students whogamble compulsively, whether it be casinos, sports betting or thelottery.
Kim Floyd, senior graduate student therapist at The U of MGambling Clinic, said in the five years the counseling program atThe U of M has been operating, she has known of maybe threestudents who have received counseling. It is not known, however,how many U of M students have gambling problems, but don't seekhelp.
"Most people (who have gambling problems) are middle-aged. Theyoungest I've seen was probably 22, but it can range to60-year-olds, too," Floyd said.
The consequences of a gambling addiction can be severe and canseem inescapable.
"A couple of clients have come close to losing their homes ortheir marriage," Floyd said. Floyd said gambling addicts' debts,which can be substantial, are what cause problems in other aspectsof their lives. The gambling can break trust, which is hard torebuild in relationships, and their hours of gambling replaces timethat could've been spent with their families, Floyd said.
For students, the Gambling Clinic charges $5 a session, and theaverage person goes through the program in 8 to 10 sessions, Floydsaid. For non-students, the clinic's main clients, the cost is $150for the program.
The success of one's involvement in the program depends on theirapproach, Floyd said,
"Everyone can change their behavior if they want to," she said."They have to have the right level of motivation."
Some (people) can continue to gamble in a controlled way, bysetting limits, Floyd said. The program gives them the flexibilityto set limits they can afford, or make abstinence their goal.
Sports betting is another form of betting that is popular withcollege students.
Jeff Pachucki, senior criminal justice major at The U of M, saidhe bets on games because it makes them "more interesting."
Pachucki, 21, said the bet amount, which is usually $5 to $50,depends on limits set by the bookie. He said that he thought itwould be easy to become addicted to sports betting "if you keepwinning, but people who lose get addicted, too."
"I wouldn't think it happens (in Memphis), but maybe in biggercities that have a bigger illegal market, it would thrive,"Pachucki said.
The recently-implemented Tennessee lottery is another possiblesource of addiction for some college students.
Clifton Stone, 21, buys five or six lottery tickets at a timebecause he believes that gives him better odds of winning.
"On the backs (of the ticket), it says every 4.96 tickets is awinner. Gosh, I buy 15 tickets a week.," Stone said. But theinternational business major at The U of M said he doesn't feelguilty, because "I'm helping children with their future. I can'tpass up the opportunity to win."
Sen. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, said he does not think the lotteryis a problem for college students. Cohen, co-chairman of theLottery Oversight Committee, said "sports betting and/or casinos iswhere most people do excessive gambling, not lotteries." He alsosaid people who buy lottery tickets are usually older, and hedidn't think college students buy "too many tickets or excessivelyto be a problem."
Cohen said the lottery has a positive effect on collegestudents, because it will "give them an incentive to make goodgrades and keep their scholarships."
Not all gambling done by college students is compulsive ordestructive, some students say.
Kevin Kuhl, senior U of M education graduate student and studentteacher, holds a weekly poker game at his house with friends.
"I bought a poker table on Ebay two years ago, and me and (twofriends) started playing once a week. We then invited more peopleand the word spread."
Kuhl, 25, said usually the game consists of seven players whoante in $25 each. Each player is given 84 chips, which have nomonetary value, he said. The most ever won by a player was $175.The poker game is more about having a good time than winning largeamounts of money, Kuhl said.
"Since only two guys are going to win, it's the good times thatbring people back. It's well worth the $25," Kuhl said.
When gambling does evolve into a problem or addiction, somewarning signs, according to the Texas State University Web site areunexplained absences from school or class, sudden drop in grades,possession of large amounts of money; brags about winnings andincreased use of gambling language, including the word "bet" inconversation.
If someone thinks they know someone with a gambling problem, theTSU Web site offers some suggestions.
Verify that the person may have a gambling problem with a mutualfriend/relative.
Tell the person that you care about him/her, and that they'vedone something to raise your concern.
Tell the person you'd like to see them set limits on gambling,talk to another trusted person or get professional help.
Tell them that you will be available to talk again and you'llassist them in getting help.
However, Donna doesn't see herself gambling to the same extentwhen she is older.
"It's something I'm doing while I'm young, for recreation -- Idon't see myself doing it for a long time."
Floyd said the likelihood that Donna's gambling will cease is"slim."
"Usually gambling serves as a crutch to something they need intheir life and are missing. It's an outlet to deal with life, andas long as that need is not there, the problem will still bethere," said Floyd.
Floyd attributes the low level of student clients to not enoughawareness of the program or lack of awareness.
"People tend to not seek help ,because they don't see it as muchof a problem," she said.
To receive gambling addiction counseling, students can call theGambling Clinic at 678-STOP or contact their local GamblersAnonymous.
