During a recent interview, John Pfleiderer, executive director of Family Service Association, talked about some of the implications connected to problem and pathological gambling and what approach he believes the community might take. Only a small percentage of the population, less than 5 percent, are considered pathological gamblers, he said. In Beloit that might come to roughly 200 to 300 people, according to the documented reports. But there also are more people who fall into the category of problem gamblers, Pfleiderer pointed out. The second thing is, it clusters with other mental health issues such as criminal thinking, giving justification for certain behaviors, he explained.
Abuse is one issue also that can be linked to gambling, both abuse of humans and substance abuse.
Other typical behaviors include anxiety and depression. Still, Pfleiderer suggests people begin taking another approach to the proposed gaming facility for Beloit. On alcohol and cigarettes, for example, warnings are placed on the packages. There are some creative things that could be done to overcome the negative aspects, he said. And, if it gets in, if after two years a lot of people aren't paying their rent or grocery bills, that would be a better measure than the present speculation, he added.