Greek Interest in Sports Betting Increases
Turnover numbers from Betting Company, a member of the Intralot group that offers services for the Greek Organization of Football Prognostics (OPAP), are on an upward trend according to year-over-year comparisons.
This year has so far seen an increase of 25 percent in turnover from sports betting when compared to the same period in 2001. Additionally, market share rose from 48 percent in the first half of 2001 to 54 percent in the same period in 2002.
According to Andreas Papoulias, general manager of Betting Company, "During the World Soccer Cup, turnover exceeded 145 million and attracted many non-traditional players, despite the time difference, which did not favor the participation of European punters."
Common Thai Concern: Family Gambling Problems
As reported on by the Bangkok Post, a survey of eight Thai cities conducted by the Suan Dusit Rajabhat Institute recently questioned 1,479 families on the major worries confronting city dwellers in that country.
Twenty-eight percent cited drugs or the involvement of family members in drugs as the most worrisome problem. Gambling problems of family members came in a close second at 27 percent. Another 25 percent indicated debt was their primary concern.
Iowa Gambling Data and Counselors Don't Agree
Two separate organizations surveyed Iowans on their propensity for gambling and what, if any, consequences were felt as a result. Both surveys show low numbers of gamblers with problem behavior, but local counselors argue the context of the data is misleading.
The 2001 phone survey conducted by the Iowa Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System reported 98.7 percent of Iowans who had gambled in the previous year indicated they felt no financial consequences from the activity. Another survey, this one commissioned by the Iowa Department of Public Health and carried out by the University of Northern Iowa, found that 99.2 percent of respondents were not experiencing any problems with work or family as a result of their gambling activity.
The Iowa Gaming Association likes the numbers from the surveys. "I think it is a clear indicator that the vast majority of people who choose to use their discretionary dollars to go to a casino are doing so responsibly for the fun entertainment it is intended to be," said Wes Ehrecke, president of the organization.
However, there is some discussion and argument that the data collected is not truly representative of the situation because of the perception and stigma attributed to gambling addiction that prohibits many from seeking treatment. There are also differences between problem gamblers and pathological gamblers.
Counselor Marie Shaw of the Substance Abuse Services Center in Iowa said, "Pathological gamblers, perhaps, are 1 percent to 2 percent of the population. I would gauge another 3 percent in the 'problem' area. There is a lot of acceptance in Iowa for people to come to a program if they have an alcohol or drug problem," she said. "There is not that same acceptance for people to come if they have a gambling problem. So until it becomes acceptable to seek treatment, I don't know if we will ever have a good idea about the numbers."
Internet and Mobile Penetration Rates Increase in Malta
The National Statistics Office in Malta is reporting encouraging numbers on year-over-year figures on mobile and Internet uptake.
The mobile penetration rate jumped 79.2 percent from 2001 to reach 64 percent for the country. This penetration figure is still less than the European Union member state average of 72.4 percent, but it is the third highest among E.U. candidate countries.
Internet penetration figures were slightly less dramatic, registering a 12.1 percent increase over 2001 to reach 25.4 percent of the total Malta population. However, Malta's 2001 Internet penetration figures still beat E.U. member countries Greece (12.1 percent), Portugal (12.5 percent), Spain (17.7 percent), France (18.4 percent) and Italy (25.2 percent).