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Robert Wood JohnsonUniversity Hospital HamiltonHamilton, New Jerseyed assessment and process flowstudy
Public Health Impacts of thePublic Health Impacts of thePublic Health Impacts of thePublic Health Impacts of theProposed Point Molate CasinoProposed Point Molate CasinoProposed Point Molate CasinoProposed Point Molate Casino
prepared bythe abaris group
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walnut creek
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caSeptember-2009
Contra Costa CountyContra Costa CountyContra Costa CountyContra Costa CountyHealth ServicesHealth ServicesHealth ServicesHealth Services
Public Health Impacts of theProposed Point Molate CasinoTable of ContentsIntroduction_________________________________________________________________2Problem and Pathological Gambling______________________________________________2National Landscape_________________________________________________________2California Landscape________________________________________________________4California Problem Gambling Helpline Use_______________________________________7Other Social Impacts__________________________________________________________8California American Indian Casino Impact_________________________________________10Public Health Impact of Gaming in Contra Costa County_____________________________10Tobacco Use_____________________________________________________________10Asthma__________________________________________________________________13Traffic Injuries_____________________________________________________________14Bibliography and Resources___________________________________________________15
Public Health Impacts of theProposed Point Molate CasinoPrepared byThe Abaris Group
Page 2
Introduction
The Abaris Group was asked by Contra Costa County to conduct an analysis of the expectedpublic health impact of a new casino proposed for Point Molate in the City of Richmond byupdating a previous study conducted in 2005 that assessed the level of problem andpathological gambling and the public health impact of a proposed casino expansion in SanPablo, California.To update the study, The Abaris Group conducted a literature search, Internet research,reviewed several documents, and worked with Contra Costa Health Services staff regarding theexpected health impact of the proposed Casino at Point Molate on the county (tobacco use,asthma, and traffic injuries).As in 2005, much of the research available today on the public health impact of casinos focusedon problem and pathological gambling and the negative impacts that result from these diseases.The research that was cited in the previous 2005 study is still valid. In fact, while there havebeen new studies on the impact of gambling on public health and other social behaviors, themost important study that pertains to this paper is a major prevalence study on problem andpathological gambling in California that was conducted in 2006.
Problem and Pathological Gambling
National LandscapeThere are many perceived public-health issues surrounding casino gambling. Some of theseinclude suicide, domestic violence, alcohol abuse, divorce, bankruptcy, drug abuse, criminalactivity, and truancy. Over the last several years many studies have been conducted to betterunderstand the effects of gambling. Problem and pathological gambling is one of the moststudied gaming impact topics.Gambling behavior lies on a continuum from occasional gambling, regular gambling (once ortwice a week) through to problem and pathological gambling. Problem gambling usually refersto gambling that the gambler themselves find problematic, whereas pathological gamblingusually refers to those who fulfill DSM (Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)criteria.
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There were three studies conducted in 1999 reviewing the issue of problem and pathologicalgambling: the National Gambling Impact Study Commission (NGISC)
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, the National ResearchCouncil (NRC)
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, and the National Opinion Research Center (NORC).
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As of 2009, these studiesare still the leading documents on problem and pathological gambling.
1
Griffiths, M, 2004. Betting your life on it.
BMJ
2004;329:1055-6.
2
National Gambling Impact Study Commission Report. Prepared for: President of the US, Congress, Governors andTribal Leaders. June 1999. Prepared by: National Gambling Impact Study Commission.
3
Pathological Gambling: A Critical Review. National Research Council, Committee on the Social and EconomicImpact of Pathological Gambling. 1999.
4
Gambling Impact and Behavior Study. Prepared for: National Gambling Impact Study Commission. April 1, 1999.Prepared by: NORC at the University of Chicago, Gemini Research, The Lewin Group and Christiansen/CummingsAssociates.
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