Keith Whyte of the National Council on Problem Gambling Speaks Up
Keith Whyte, the executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, consented to explain to OCA the purposes of his organization, and agreed to help sort out the myths from the facts concerning the disorder. The NCPG acts, according to Whyte, as the national advocate for programs and services to assist problem gamblers and their families.
Whyte has held his current position for eleven years. His previous experience was as the director of research at the American Gaming Association, a title he held for three years. That the head of the leading problem gambling organization comes from a background in the gaming industry may surprise some, but the NCPG makes it clear they are neither for nor against legalized gambling.
In fact, Whyte says a public lack of understanding about compulsive gambling drew him to the NCPG. He noticed in his research capacity little was being done at the time to address the needs of victims of problem gambling.
Problem gambling, Whyte asserts, is differentiated from recreational gambling by more than just losing money. When gambling causes harm to one's family or work situation, or when preoccupation with gambling dominates an individual's thoughts, compulsive gaming is now the issue.
"A loss of control, for instance in the ability to set reasonable limits, is a warning sign of problem gambling," says Whyte. " That limit involves not only money, but also setting a limit on time spent gambling and sticking to it."
Whyte also notes an "extremely high level of physical symptoms," meaning that such stress-related issues as high blood pressure and heart disease are frequently found in problem gamblers. He says that research show persons suffering from gaming disorders "share biological, physical, and genetic markers with victims of substance abuse," correlating with recent data showing physical differences in the brains of pathological gamblers.
In fact, Whyte reveals that 50 percent of problem gamblers have a history of substance abuse, while 30 percent of substance abusers have had gambling issues. This leads to the modern method of treatment, going beyond the narrow boundaries of gambling and treating a broad disorder involving impulse control.
The next part of this series will emphasize proper treatment of problem gambling, while discussing legislation to aid victims. Anyone feeling they or someone close to them may have problem gambling issues should contact the NCPG help-line at 1-800-522-4700.
