Throughout history, women have made great strides, breaking through social, economic, political, and cultural barriers in the fight for equality. On International Women’s Day on March 8^th and Women’s History Month throughout March, we are celebrating these breakthroughs while keeping an eye on future generations of politicians, parents, students, doctors, neighbors, friends, and so much more. As we work to #BreaktheBias and forge women’s equality, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) wants to draw your attention to a rising concern — how women are uniquely drawn in by problem gambling and the barriers that may prevent them from seeking help. 

As we strive for diversity, equity, and inclusivity on every level, it is important to recognize that gambling disorders do not discriminate, and women are not excluded from these disorders’ harmful impacts. Alongside Women’s History Month is Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM), a time where we promote public awareness of the effects of problem gambling. This hidden addiction may not show itself as obviously as other compulsive behaviors, but its impact is just as real. 

While there is an assumption that problem gambling is mostly limited to men, this is not true. For example, recent studies show that women account for almost one-third of total sports bettors. [1] While sports betting is still illegal in Florida, the American Gaming Association estimates illegal sports gambling accounts for $511 billion of all sports bets placed each year, so there are many ways that men and women alike can still place bets on their preferred teams. [2] 

Women typically have different motivations for gambling than men — while men thrive on the action and competition of gambling, women often see it as an escape from their realities and find temporary relief as they lose themselves in games such as slots, video poker, lotteries, and bingo. [3] In addition to different avenues of gambling, women may also perceive a gambling problem in a different light. With less representation of female problem gambling across media, women may feel alone in their struggles, with some expressing it would be more shameful to experience problem gambling than other addictions, such as alcohol, as they seem more common. [4]

With societal pressures and perceptions that women must be responsible caregivers, the fear of being seen as irresponsible due to gambling may lead to additional shame and loneliness for women. [5] This stigma could keep women from seeking the help and support they need and deserve and keep our society as a whole from reaching true equality in every facet of life. 

The best way we can honor the achievements of the women who have gone before us while protecting present and future generations from the negative impacts of problem gambling is to break down the stigma surrounding seeking help and spreading awareness of resources for recovery. If you or a loved one is struggling with problem gambling, remember that recovery is Your One Sure Thing when you call or text 888-ADMIT-IT. This 24/7, multilingual, confidential and free HelpLine is available for any Florida resident looking to connect with the resources they need to experience freedom from compulsive gambling behaviors. As we celebrate the strong women in our lives, the FCCG wants you to be aware of resources such as our Literature Packet, a tool we put together that is tailored to women struggling with problem gambling so that they can experience healing that meets them where they are. 

1. Sokolic, Bill. “Studies: Women Make up about One-Third of Sports Bettors.” GGB News, 20 July 2021, https://ggbnews.com/article/studies-women-make-up-about-one-third-of-sports-bettors/.
2. “New Aga Report Shows Americans Gamble More than Half a Trillion Dollars Illegally Each Year.” American Gaming Association, 6 Dec. 2022, https://www.americangaming.org/new/new-aga-report-shows-americans-gamble-more-than-half-a-trillion-dollars-illegally-each-year/#:~:text=Washington%2C%20D.C.%20%E2%80%93%20Americans%20gamble%20an,from%20the%20American%20Gaming%20Association.
3. Female Gamblers Fact Sheet – Ncpgambling.org. https://www.ncpgambling.org/files/WOMEN_GAMBLERS_FACTS.pdf.
4. “Female Gamblers and Mental Health.” Algamus, https://www.algamus.org/blog/female-gamblers-mental-health.
5. Female Gamblers Fact Sheet – Ncpgambling.org. https://www.ncpgambling.org/files/WOMEN_GAMBLERS_FACTS.pdf.

A lo largo de la historia, las mujeres han dado grandes pasos, rompiendo barreras sociales, económicas, políticas y culturales en la lucha por la igualdad. En el Día Internacional de la Mujer el 8 de marzo y el Mes de la Historia de la Mujer durante todo marzo, estamos festejando estos avances mientras mantenemos la vista sobre las futuras generaciones de políticos, padres, estudiantes, médicos, vecinos, amigos y mucho más. A medida que trabajamos para #BreaktheBias (#RomperelSesgo) y forjar la igualdad de las mujeres, el Consejo de Juego Compulsivo de Florida (FCCG) quiere llamar su atención sobre una preocupación creciente: cómo las mujeres se ven atraídas de manera singular por las apuestas problemáticas y las barreras que pueden impedirles buscar ayuda. 

A medida que luchamos por la diversidad, la equidad y la inclusión a todos los niveles, es importante reconocer que los trastornos de las apuestas no discriminan, y las mujeres no se ven excluidas de los impactos dañinos de estos trastornos. Junto con el Mes de la Historia de la Mujer está el Mes de Concientización sobre el Problema de las Apuestas (PGAM), un tiempo durante el cual promovemos la conciencia pública sobre los efectos de las apuestas problemáticas. Esta adicción oculta puede no mostrarse de modo tan evidente como otros comportamientos compulsivos, pero su impacto es igual de real. 

Si bien hay la suposición de que las apuestas problemáticas se limitan principalmente a los hombres, esto no es cierto. Por ejemplo, estudios recientes muestran que las mujeres representan casi un tercio del total de los apostadores deportivos. [1] Si bien las apuestas deportivas siguen siendo ilegales en Florida, la American Gaming Association estima que las apuestas deportivas ilegales representan 511 mil millones de dólares de todas las apuestas deportivas que se hacen cada año, por lo que hay muchas formas en que hombres y mujeres por igual pueden apostar por sus equipos preferidos. [2] 

Las mujeres suelen tener diferentes motivaciones que los hombres para apostar: mientras que los hombres prosperan en la acción y la competencia de las apuestas, las mujeres a menudo las ven como un escape de sus realidades y encuentran un alivio temporal al perderse en juegos de azar como los tragamonedas, el video póker, las loterías y el bingo. [3] Además de las diferentes avenidas para las apuestas, las mujeres también pueden percibir un problema de apuestas bajo una luz diferente. Con una menor representación femenina de las apuestas problemáticas en los medios de comunicación, las mujeres pueden sentirse solas en sus luchas, y algunas expresan que sería más vergonzoso tener problemas con las apuestas que con otras adicciones, como el alcohol, ya que parecen más comunes. [4]

Con las presiones sociales y las percepciones de que las mujeres deben ser cuidadoras responsables, el miedo a ser vistas como irresponsables debido a las apuestas puede llevar a una vergüenza y soledad adicionales para las mujeres. [5] Este estigma podría impedir que las mujeres obtengan la ayuda y el apoyo que necesitan y merecen, y evitar que nuestra sociedad en su conjunto alcance la verdadera igualdad en todas las facetas de la vida. 

La mejor manera de honrar los logros de las mujeres que nos han precedido al tiempo que protegemos a las generaciones presentes y futuras contra los impactos negativos de las apuestas problemáticas es romper el estigma que rodea la búsqueda de ayuda y la difusión de la conciencia sobre los recursos que hay para la recuperación. Si usted o un ser querido están batallando con las apuestas problemáticas, recuerde que la recuperación es Your One Sure Thing (su única cosa segura) cuando llame o envíe un mensaje de texto al 888-ADMIT-IT. Esta línea de ayuda multilingüe, confidencial y gratuita las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana, está disponible para cualquier residente de Florida que busque conectarse con los recursos que necesita para liberarse de los comportamientos de apuestas compulsivas. Mientras festejamos a las mujeres fuertes de nuestras vidas, el FCCG quiere que usted conozca recursos como nuestro Paquete de literatura, una herramienta que creamos y que está diseñada específicamente para mujeres que luchan con apuestas problemáticas para que puedan experimentar una sanación que va a donde ellas están.

1. Sokolic, Bill. “Estudios: Las mujeres representan aproximadamente un tercio de los apostadores deportivos”. GGB News, 20 de julio de 2021, https://ggbnews.com/article/studies-women-make-up-about-one-third-of-sports-bettors/.
2. “Un nuevo informe de Aga muestra que los estadounidenses apuestan más de 500 billones de dólares ilegalmente cada año”. American Gaming Association, 6 de diciembre de 2022, https://www.americangaming.org/new/new-aga-report-shows-americans-gamble-more-than-half-a-trillion-dollars-illegally-each-year/#:~:text=Washington%2C%20D.C.%20%E2%80%93%20Americans%20gamble%20an,from%20the%20American%20Gaming%20Association.
3. Hoja informativa para apostadoras – Ncpgambling.org. https://www.ncpgambling.org/files/WOMEN_GAMBLERS_FACTS.pdf.
4. “Las apostadoras y la salud mental”. Algamus, https://www.algamus.org/blog/female-gamblers-mental-health.
5. Hoja informativa para apostadoras – Ncpgambling.org. https://www.ncpgambling.org/files/WOMEN_GAMBLERS_FACTS.pdf.

In 2005, country music star Toby Keith released As Good as I Once Was, a wonderfully self-deprecating song about a guy reaching middle age and not being as good as he was in his prime. In a clever twist of words, Keith sings that he’s not as good as he once was, but he’s as good once as he ever was.

If you haven’t seen the video, check it out on YouTube. It’s cute.

When the song came out, I was 58 years old. While I was still in my prime intellectually, video-poker-wise (I started playing the game in 1994 and it took a while to get my bearings), the golden years of video poker were over for me. I had been removed from all MGM Mirage properties, the Venetian, and Wynn in 2001 — largely because of financial success playing the game. I don’t remember exactly when the Golden Nugget stopped inviting me to events, but it was sometime around then. There were still more good opportunities for others than there are today, but I was excluded from that.

I shifted my play to other casinos, lowered the stakes I played for, kept teaching classes and writing books, and was as sharp of a player as I was ever going to be.

I’m now 76, about 30 years older than the singer of that song and 18 years after the song first came out. For me, my prime as a video poker player came and went a while ago. Many casino managers still don’t want me to play at their places, based on a decades-long reputation, but I’m not nearly the threat I used to be. 

The song deals with physical things (a sex threesome and a bar fight), but mostly video poker is more mental than physical. Still, physical endurance is a part of it and playing 15-hour marathon sessions is a thing of the past for me, 

With respect to the mental side of the game, learning and remembering strategies is a much tougher endeavor than it used to be. Twenty years ago, I had maybe ten strategies 99.9%+ memorized at all times. Now I have two or three. I’m going out of town in a few days where I’ll be playing another game, so I temporarily have an extra game memorized; but if my next visit to this casino is two or three months away, I’ll have to relearn this game all over again.

It’s not terribly difficult to get up to speed on a game I used to know well. I have the tools, a bunch of experience, and a whole lot comes back to me as I get into it, but it still consumes time and energy to do something that used to be a lot easier than it is now. And once I get up to speed on a new game, my retention ability isn’t what I’d like.

One area where I’m possibly better than I was 20 or more years ago comes from analyzing promotions. Am I going to play at Casino A, with this promotion and set of benefits, or Casino B, with another promotion and different set of benefits? The reason I’m better at this now is I’ve been around the block numerous times. I know what games are available at a number of different casinos, know the ins and outs of their slot clubs, and am generally familiar with all sorts of promotions. This experience and knowledge didn’t come quickly or easily, but having this is a huge advantage over somebody starting from scratch.

Even though the opportunities I find aren’t nearly as plentiful or lucrative as they were a few decades ago, I enjoy playing the game and will continue to do so as long as I can find some profitable games. I doubt I’ll continue to play when I can’t find any profitable opportunities. We’ll see.

The part of Toby Keith’s song that I’m having trouble applying to my life playing video poker is the claim, “But I’m as good once as I ever was.” While it is easy to apply that line to the sexual threesome suggested in the video for the song, sex was never part of my video poker career (other than in two novels which were definitely not autobiographical.) 

In video poker, you don’t typically do something once. It’s a game where you sit down and play numerous hands over a period of time. Still, “I’m as good once as I ever was” is a cute line and I still smile when I hear the song or see the video.

Our guest this week is Jimmy Jazz.  He is back to talk about credit card strategies and other low roller plays.

We welcome your questions – send them to us at [email protected], http://facebook.com/gamblingwithanedge, or you can find me at @RWM21 on Twitter.

Podcast – https://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/jjazz10092022

Show Notes

[00:00]  Introduction credit card, bargain, and coupon expert, Jimmy Jazz

[00:38]  Southwest Companion Pass deal

[05:42]  Funding online gambling accounts

[13:07]  Referrals and kickbacks

[14:47]  Status matching

[16:13]  Four Queens slot club merged with Binion’s

[19:18]  Sticky buttons on video poker, machine error

[21:48]  Safety deposit boxes

[25:05]  Casinos resetting slot or video poker machines, preferential shuffling

[29:05]  Commercials

[29:40]  Self-service beverages

[32:52]  Hustling scam warning signs at The Cosmopolitan

[35:37]  Recommended:  Story Slam at The Charleston Heights Arts Center on 3/11, Wonder Wallet

Sponsored Links:

http://BlackjackApprenticeship.com

http://VideoPoker.com/gwae

http://Unabated.com

Recommended:

Story Slam http://Ci.ovationtix.com/35056/performance/11123937

Wonder Wallet

Jimmy’s referral link for Southwest card.

https://www.referyourchasecard.com/226f/5TOONJBZH9

A few weeks ago, I wrote about a drawing at the ROW in Reno (a Caesars property where the Eldorado, Silver Legacy, and Circus Circus are all connected indoors), where Bonnie and I had each accumulated more than a half-million tickets during our stay. While that is a lot of tickets, everybody gets free tickets and daily multipliers, depending on their tier level.

I mentioned in that article that probably we won’t attend the three nights of drawings because the combination of prizes and probability of winning them wasn’t all that high. I said that would be my decision, “depending” on other factors.

Some of those other factors came in and so it now looks like we’re going. These factors are relatively unique to us and do not apply widely to readers of this blog, so I’ll leave them unstated. (Even though “inquiring minds want to know.”)

When the previous blog was posted, there were several comments. One wag who has read that I play at Dotty’s suggested my EV calculation was between the ROW and Dotty’s. Well, yes, except that if this wag read my most recent column about Dotty’s, he’ll know that I won’t be playing there until the end of March at the earliest. And even then, it doesn’t matter whether you play at Dotty’s mid-week, on weekends, or on which shift you play (although graveyard is considerably less smoky), if you want to participate in must-be-present-to-win drawing, you must be there when it’s taking place. So even if I were playing at Dotty’s these days, which I’m not it wouldn’t conflict with a trip to Reno.

Other readers mentioned how they prefer drawings with certain characteristics. Well, I do too. I’d prefer no free tickets. I don’t mind the size of your ticket multiplier based on your tier level because Bonnie and I are both at the highest tier level. (I wouldn’t feel that way if we were not at the highest tier level.) I prefer drawings where I’ll be around for all of the days you can earn tickets. While I can play a lot when I’m there, if I’m gone for more than a month others can catch up to me by playing smaller amounts more often.

But those preferences are largely irrelevant for this particular drawing. I’m not going to be able to change the rules. The only question is: does this series of drawings, under the existing rules and conditions, present a good enough opportunity for us that we’re willing to go through the expense of getting there and staying there a few days? If the answer to that is yes (and it is — including things unrelated to the drawing), then we’ll be there. If the answer to that is no, we won’t be.

Another reader spoke of how large the ROW is, how temperamental the microphone is, and noted that you only have so many minutes to make it to the drawing area once you’re called. It might not be possible to reach the drawing area if you’re at one of the far ends of the place. While this is true, this will not be a factor. By the time of the drawing, we’ll have upwards of two million tickets between us. We are NOT going that far to miss out because we weren’t in the right place at the right time. 

A full 15 minutes before each drawing, Bonnie and I will be in the vicinity of where the drawing will take place. We will know we’re close enough because we will hear the preliminary announcements of “make sure you swipe your card at the kiosk to make sure your entries are activated.” If we can hear that announcement, we’re plenty close enough. Even though Bonnie uses a walker and might be shy about pushing her way through, if she’s called I’ll be ahead of her loudly asking people to make way for an 80-year-old winner using a walker. People generally will make way under such a circumstance, and if for some reason they don’t, casino employees will hear me (I’ll be loud if necessary) and they’ll help us.

As I write this, I remember what nights the drawings are on but not the exact times or location. I suspect it will be in the Silver Legacy, but right now I’m not positive. You can bet I’ll know for certain before the drawings take place, and exactly the hours for activating our entries. Any other salient points in the rules will be mastered as well because I’ll be sure to re-read the rules several times at least.

These drawings won’t be a problem. I’ve won large or small prizes in several hundred drawings over the years at several dozen different casinos. While each one is a little different from the others, I’m confident in my abilities to get us entered into these drawings and collect if we get called. It’s not rocket science — and experience matters.

And if we’re totally skunked and not called at all? Well, that happens too. You need to make your best calculation before you know the results, and then you live with whatever results arise. This has a whole lot in common with other successful gambling. Or living life intelligently.

Our guest this week is a return visit from Matt of http://www.plusevanalytics.com. Some of the topics discussed include

We welcome your questions – send them to us at [email protected], or you can find me at @RWM21 on Twitter or https://www.facebook.com/GamblingWithAnEdge.

podcast – https://www.spreaker.com/user/7418966/plusevanalytics

Show Notes

[00:00]  Introduction of Matt, aka @PlusEVAnalytics

[00:47]  Matt’s lawsuit against Caesars Sportsbook

[05:18]  Ontario gaming regulators side with Caesars

[10:05]  Confidentiality agreements

[14:57]  Matt’s course at Analytics.bet

[19:59]  Small data versus big data, NBA 2nd half total example

[23:43]  Bet Bash 2

[32:15]  Commercials

[34:21]  Will Matt ever bet on sports full-time?

[36:26]  The future of sports betting, adverse selection, exchanges, and parimutuel models

[55:50]  Listeners can contact Matt @PlusEVAnalytics on Twitter

[56:03]  Recommended:  Fauda on Netflix, Risk of Ruin Podcast

Sponsored Links:

Tales from the Felt: An Illustrated Anthology

http://VideoPoker.com/gwae

http://Unabated.com

Guest Links:

Tweets by PlusEVAnalytics

http://Plusevanalytics.wordpress.com

http://Analytics.bet

Recommended:

http://Netflix.com/title/80113612

http://Podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rabbit-hole/id1527018692

Si usted es un planificador experto o es más una persona que va con la corriente, la administración del tiempo puede ser un salvavidas y reducir el riesgo de desarrollar comportamientos problemáticos de apuestas.  Si bien puede sonar como un engorro, ejercer una buena administración del tiempo puede ayudarle a aprovechar al máximo su día. Siga leyendo para saber más sobre estrategias sencillas de administración del tiempo y cómo practicar comportamientos de apuestas responsables para mantener su vida en el buen camino y apegada a su calendario. 

Sugerencias para la administración del tiempo

¿No tiene suficiente tiempo en el día? ¿Demasiado tiempo en sus manos? De cualquier manera, planificar su horario y reservar tiempo para desconectarse y tiempo para trabajar en sus habilidades de recuperación pueden ayudarle a mantener un equilibrio saludable. De hecho, administrar bien su tiempo es un componente clave para las apuestas responsables. A veces, cuando se apuesta, las personas pueden sentirse desconectadas de la realidad y perder la noción del tiempo. Sin embargo, cuando las personas designan momentos para tomarse descansos y se ajustan a ellos, esto puede ayudar a los apostadores a reconectarse con la realidad y obtener el control de sus emociones, ya que hacer apuestas puede crear una liberación de dopamina en el cerebro y dar a los participantes un tipo de “subidón” que puede nublar el juicio. 

Si elige limitar o restringir sus apuestas, ya sea limitando el tiempo empleado, cuánto dinero se apuesta o de otra manera, es esencial hacer un plan y cumplirlo. Una buena manera de reducir el tiempo dedicado a las apuestas es invertir su tiempo en otras actividades, entre ellas:

• Estructurar el tiempo todos los días para que no haya tiempo “libre”
• Permanecer en el momento siendo consciente de lo que está haciendo
• Pasar tiempo con amigos y familiares que lo apoyen
• Asistir a reuniones de grupos de apoyo 
• Leer los libros de trabajo de recuperación de autoayuda, disponibles al comunicarse con 888-ADMIT-IT
• Revisión de videos en línea – disponible a través de 888-ADMIT-IT

Muchas personas que apuestan creen que no necesitan tomarse descansos, pero, cuanto más se ignoran las restricciones de tiempo, más peligrosas pueden llegar a ser las apuestas.  Una buena práctica es hacerse cargo de su horario escribiendo las cosas que planea hacer ese día para reflejar dónde puede haber tiempo libre. En el caso de los apostadores problemáticos, el tiempo libre puede ser peligroso, por lo que, de nuevo, estructurar su tiempo es esencial.

Prácticas de apuestas responsables 

Administrar mejor el tiempo es un gran primer paso para las apuestas responsables, pero hay muchos otros enfoques positivos que se pueden implementar, entre ellos: 

• No apostar cuando está molesto, estresado, cansado o distraído
• Nunca apostar bajo la influencia de sustancias
• No apostar con dinero destinado a cosas esenciales
• No perseguir pérdidas

Siempre es el momento adecuado para la recuperación

En la vida, todo se reduce al momento adecuado, y cuando se trata de problemas con las apuestas, cuanto antes encuentren la ayuda y la esperanza que necesitan los que están en riesgo y sus seres queridos, mejor. La recuperación comienza con Your One Sure Thing, la línea de ayuda para problemas de juego multilingüe y confidencial las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana, 888-ADMIT-IT. Aquí, las personas que experimentan dificultades con las apuestas y las personas cercanas a ellas pueden encontrar los recursos necesarios para dar sus primeros pasos en la recuperación; y recuerde, nunca es demasiado tarde o demasiado temprano para obtener ayuda.