As reported by: Indian Country Today
Last week a three-day conference to bring awareness to a growing problem - pathological or problem gambling - began in Sacramento and concluded here Oct. 17 with more than 40 treatment professionals, tribal leaders, state officials and gaming industry professionals in attendance.

The 'Tumbling Dice' conference, an event to mark the first annual Responsible Gambling Awareness Week, was co-sponsored by the California Nations Indian Gaming Association and the non-profit California Council on Problem Gambling.

Experts told the assembled group that pathological gamblers - those who won't stop gambling despite devastating consequences - constitute about 5 percent of the U.S. adult population, with 1.75 million in California alone.

The problem has spread as legalized gambling has become more accessible and widespread, said Richard Rosenthal, director of the UCLA Center for Gambling Studies, who spoke at the Oct. 15 events in Sacramento. Studies show that Indians are at a greater risk than some other ethnic groups for developing the problem, he said.

Ethnically diverse California has more pathological gamblers, he said, when compared with states with a more homogenous population like Iowa. And because of the challenges presented by language and cultural differences - some groups don't seek traditional treatment sources - it's difficult to reach them, Rosenthal stated.

More research needs to be done on problem gambling, said Philip Satre, chairman of the board for Harrah's.

And when compared to substance abuse, pathological gambling is more difficult to treat, stated Gary Lange, counselor and addiction specialist. Unlike drugs or alcohol, it's an easier addiction to hide, there's no test to detect it, and most people don't consider it to be a problem, he said.