The Iowa Stater

1997 February

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The Iowa Stater
February, 1997

Researchers hit the jackpot

t 12 years old, Paula was playing slot machines in Las Vegas during family vacations. By the time she turned 21, Paula, a quiet suburban homemaker, supported her family by gambling and knew that she wanted to make it a profession. At 25, she went into business for herself taking bets. By making 10 percent off every bet placed -- win or lose -- she figured she couldn't go wrong. She started playing poker, blackjack and craps as well.

Although she once lost $64,000 in one hand of poker, the stakes were much higher than cash for Paula. She gave her ex-husband custody of their three children so that she could spend more time gambling.

The casino atmosphere offered her an escape, the gambling a high. Once the high became her normal state, she gambled to maintain it.

In-depth look at gambling

Stories like Paula's were of particular interest to College of Family and Consumer Sciences researchers who recently took an in- depth look at gambling.

"Gambling is a phenomenon that has swept the country in the past decade," said Beverly Crabtree, dean of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. "But unlike almost any other significant social change, it has arrived with very little public scrutiny beyond economic impact studies."

Last April, college researchers began a number of studies aimed at determining how gambling affected children and families in Iowa, a state with more forms of legalized gambling than any state in the nation. College officials commissioned a statewide poll of Iowans' attitudes about gambling and funded research on several aspects of the issue, including gambling's effect on the elderly, college students, small business and tourism. Results of the poll and research were shared at a national Gambling and the Family Conference held Oct. 31 at Iowa State.

Tahira Hira, a human development and family studies professor, studied the impact of gambling on family finances. She found many similarities between Paula's story and those of six members of an Iowa Gamblers Anonymous organization.

Hira, with graduate students Kyra Monson and Cindy Ingram, found that gambling had taken a toll on some family relations and finances. Like Paula, members of the group gambled to feel a high, to escape. Some spent as much as $500 to $1,500 per day and accumulated credit card debt of up to $37,000. One participant gambled away his life savings of $100,000. Another depleted all family assets, worth more than $1 million.

"I kept a daily journal of all my receipts and expenses, not in an attempt to be fiscally responsible, but more to keep my lies straight," Paula said. "I was telling so many lies to so many people, I didn't know which way was up."

Among the gamblers studied by Hira, some called in sick to spend more time gambling. One stole money from his employer to gamble. Many experienced divorce and isolation from loved ones. "Not only were they facing their financial downfall, they were doing so alone, without the support of family or friends," Hira said.

Good economic results

While gambling may take a heavy toll on some, many Iowans surveyed in the statewide poll saw some good economic results from the state's foray into gambling.

Seventy percent of the Iowans said gambling's impact on tourism and employment opportunities had been positive. They also thought gambling had been good for the state's economy, with one exception. Iowans were split on whether gambling had been good or bad for small business.

As for gambling's effect on the family, surveyed Iowans were concerned. Most of those polled felt gambling had a high negative impact on low-income families (77 percent), children under 18 (60 percent) and families with children (60 percent).

Paula is fortunate. She eventually sought help from the Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Des Moines, attended counseling sessions, cut up her credit cards and began anew.

Now, seven years later, Paula coordinates the 1-800-BETS-OFF program for the state of Iowa. She says she has all the education she needs for the job. "I have a BT degree -- Been There."

-- Michelle Johnson, News Service

(Editor's note: More information about the Gambling and Family Conference is available from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.)

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