Q&A: A Guide to Problem Gambling with Cicero Family Service
Illustration by Robin Carnilius
By Galilea Mendez
Editor’s note: This content is sponsored by Cicero Family Service.
Content Warning: This article contains mentions of potentially triggering topics, such as suicide and addiction.
I grew up playing lotería with my family at cookouts and holiday parties, placing beans on top of "El Borracho" and "La Luna," and yelling once my card was filled up. We each put in a dollar to play, and I'd ask my dad to borrow some singles, promising I'd make it back. I rarely did.
My mom talks about the cock fights she'd watch growing up in Guerrero, "se ponían buenos." My dad talks about the dog fights in Mexico City and the money they make. I couldn't even watch the film "Amores Perros," where Gael Garcia Bernal enters his dog into these underground rings for some quick cash without crying.
As Dr. Mauricio Cifuentes, Ph.D., LCSW, clinical director at Cicero Family Service, said, gambling is a broad activity, which includes going to a casino or even playing lotería.
Gambling is normalized in Latinx communities, and sometimes, we don’t even really see it as gambling, and it can become a problem.
To learn more about problem gambling, we had a conversation with Dr. Cifuentes, who spoke about risk factors, signs of addiction and how to receive proper help.
Question: What is problem gambling and how can it become a problem?
Answer:
Like all addictions, they start slowly. Habits take time to develop and gambling is no different. You could play slot machines occasionally or bet on an app for a sports game just for fun. For many, it is a coping mechanism. After a long day at work, putting in a few coins at a machine, hoping for the chance to finally win big, is a stress reliever. We have a social desire to have fun, and what’s more fun than winning money?
It is also important to note how gambling creates a rush for certain people, especially those who are prone to taking risks. The rush from gambling is particularly relevant for younger people.
For Latinxs, many of our families have this idea of an American dream. If we work hard, it will all pay off one day, but for many, that day never comes. If working hard meant making it big, all of our undocumented parents would be billionaires. We know this isn’t true, so we search for instant gratification instead, winning fast and big. This is one of the reasons why many people turn to gambling.
Q: What are some factors of problem gambling within Latinx communities?
A:
In Latinx communities where machismo is prevalent, men do not have that many places where they can be vulnerable and talk about their problems. Since many serve as heads of their households, admitting they have a problem is seen as a sign of weakness, which means many go without help. Similarly, in women, many are so focused on everyone else. Whether their children or their parents, they don’t dedicate time to sit down and deal with their personal problems. It is time we acknowledge the issue plaguing our communities directly.
Another factor of problem gambling is the association we tend to make between being a good person and being rewarded. When we gamble repeatedly and don't win, the feeling that one isn't "good enough" to be rewarded can increase feelings of negativity and depression. In addition, the impact of suicide among people struggling with problem gambling issues is five times higher than for people with other addictive behaviors.
Q: What factors contribute to the accessibility of gambling within Cicero?
A:
In Illinois, frequent gamblers gamble five or more times a year. However, even the exposure to gambling itself can be an issue. Many corner stores in Cicero have slot machines that are easily accessible and unregulated. Even minors are gambling.
Gambling legalization also contributes to the accessibility of gambling. It creates an ethical dilemma. Legalization implies taxes for the state and municipalities, which benefits the community at large, yet dramatically increases the risk of developing problem gambling for some in those communities.
Q: How exactly are individuals that are underage gambling?
A:
Someone under 21 can't enter a casino, but what stops them from entering their local corner store owned by a family friend? Additionally, online gambling is accessible to minors, especially when their screens are unsupervised. Parents worry about their children talking to strangers online, but the predators have changed. Dangers online now include innocent-looking children's games that are just a front for mobile gambling. These usually look like "mini-games" within a large game where players are awarded "free play" on a gambling game once enough time has elapsed, and if they want to play more, they have to pay with real money.
Q: So, what separates gambling as fun versus an actual problem?
A:
Here are some warning signs you should look for:
Increasing the amount of money being bet
Not being able to stop, thinking you can make the money back after a loss
Borrowing money from others to continue betting or to cover losses
Having feelings of anxiety around gambling
Hiding or lying about how much money has been bet or lost
Personal relationships or responsibilities being strained due to gambling
Q: What should someone do if they recognize problem gambling signs?
A:
Are You Really Winning? is a website with tons of useful information. There, you can find a screening tool to assess the level of risk for problem gambling. It is free and easy to use. You can also reach out to Cicero Family Service for help by calling 708-656-6430 ext. 37.
Q: What can someone expect when they reach out to CFS for help?
A:
CFS offers services in both English and Spanish. They will help connect you with resources so you can receive proper help and serve as a safe space to vent.
Q: Are there other steps someone can take to help with problem gambling?
A:
Some other steps someone can take for help include joining communities such as Gambling Anonymous groups to speak with people with the same struggles. Some casinos, both online and in person, offer “self-exclusion,” which is the option to ban yourself from these places to avoid temptation altogether. If anyone in that casino sees you there when you are on that list, they call the police, which is a misdemeanor.
For resources, take a look down below
Visit www.areyoureallywinning.com for more information.
Call 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537). Help is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is confidential.
If you speak English text "GAMB" to 833234.
If you want local guidance in English or Spanish, call Cicero Family Service at 708-656-6430 ext 37.
Galilea Mendez is a freelance reporter and content creator who loves storytelling, community, and culture. Follow her on Instagram: @galileamndz, TikTok: @reallifegal.
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