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Prevention of Problem Gambling
July 1999, Vol II, Issue 7

*A Monthly Newsletter on Problem Gambling Prevention Information, Research, and Initiatives*

"No progress has ever been made against an epidemic by treating only the casualties."

SUCCESSFULLY MAKING CHANGE - SOCIAL POLICY AS A PREVETION STRATEGY

Social policy is a prevention strategy that establishes boundaries for acceptable behavior related to an identified social issue. The social policy strategy is a "high impact" strategy because it involves all levels of a community system in the exploration and discussion of issues related to the development and implementation of the social policy. Success of a social policy depends on the active involvement of as many community members, human service providers, and organizations as possible to consistently promote and enforce a clear message and specific rules and regulations.

Some examples of the prevention strategy of Social Policy relative to problem gambling are:

Legislative advocacy to limit advertisement of government-sponsored gambling and to develop regulations for appropriate advertising content.

Legislative advocacy to create and enforce penalties to gaming proprietors who violate underage gambling laws.

Changing community norms by creating, changing, and enforcing policies in the workplace, schools, and community. Example: working with a state lottery to limit access of minors to lottery vending machines or removal of lottery vending machines.

Social policy change agents require specific areas of knowledge and skills, including how to:

Build community relationships that identify common ground and develop constituents

Focus on issues to avoid attacking motives and goals of gaming industry, government, or other institutions

Become knowledgeable about the complexity of the political process

Develop a long term and pragmatic view and plan about change

Develop an ability to work for change both within and from outside organizations.

Promote change or become a catalyst for change. It is necessary to identify and work to resolve:

Conflicts of interest, such as when the state is both the regulator and an operator of gambling

Conflicting messages, such as rules against gambling in schools while promoting bingo nights and raffles

Conflict in the missions of creating state revenue and protecting citizens, such as when the state utilizes gambling revenues for public services while its promotion of gambling increases problems among citizens

Finally, it is important to remember that while not having a policy regarding problem gambling is a risk factor, having an inconsistently enforced policy may do more harm than good. Social policy strategies must be well planned and developed with a firm commitment to adequately and consistently enforce policies.

Local Problem Gambling Helplines

CT 800-346-6238
MA 800-426-1234
RI 877-9-GAMBLE
VT 888-822-8274