and at least 10 states have no public funding des- ignated for problem gambling, even though 30 states allow some sort of legalized gambling. Most programs run on an all-volunteer staff. Funding for problem gambling is left to the states, and the U.S. government prohibits states from using substance abuse disorder treatment for problem gambling treatment. Additionally, there is concern that of the research conducted, survey samples of problem gamblers have been far too small or underreported. In the United Kingdom and Australia, there is more research particularly among those who are homeless: problem gambling studies have shown that homeless populations are much more likely to have problems with gambling. However, shelters and service organizations often don’t specifically assess gambling issues with their clients, and the issue often goes unrecognized. The Rise of Online Gambling O ne of the most significant impacts on the gaming industry has been online wagering. Researchandmarkets.com estimates that in 2016, online gaming in the U.S. has generated almost $44 billion and is expected to grow to more than $66 billion a year by 2020. This easy-access gambling offers the ability to bet for longer, uninterrupted periods of time with more privacy, and the electronic forms of money make spending seem less real. According to the National Center for Biotech- nology Information (NCBI), surveys have shown as much as 28 percent of online gamblers admit that it is easier to spend more, and 15 percent admit that it is more addictive than land-based gambling. Interestingly, the NCBI report suggests online gambling by itself does not correlate with an increase in gambling disorder; rather, those who have problems tend to favor land-based gambling and may use online gambling as a supplement to their preference for direct, in-person involvement. There is, however, a link between gambling disorder and age, according to a 2014 study for the journal Addiction. Those who develop a gambling disorder at a younger age are at risk for continued risky behavior later on in their lives. So while there is little indication today that links online gambling with problem gambling behavior, the online format is becoming an increasing choice among a younger generation. Naturally, there is concern that a decrease in the median age of problem gamblers will occur and an increase in long-term gambling disorder—no matter the format—will follow. The difficulty of uncovering the impact of problem gambling is extensive. It is easy to ignore the issue in light of other social concerns among homeless people that might be more prevalent. Without government interest, it seems that lack of research will continue to make conclusions vague and seemingly insignificant. For professionals who deal with homeless individuals, determining the extent of the problem on the homeless population may prove even more difficult. Even so, the hope for recovery lies in relation- ships: rebuilding or replacing those lost due to the gambling problems, establishing a deep relation- ship with someone to provide meaning, or perhaps offering spiritual purpose that helps a client to find meaning that supersedes what gambling may offer. Tony Marciano, executive director of the Charlotte Rescue Mission, writes about gambling addiction as simply another “drug of choice,” another way to build up one’s “shame-based” iden- tity: “When men and women realize God’s love is for them and them alone, the walls of isolation they have erected to keep everyone (including God) from getting close to them come tumbling down.” While the problems of gambling disorder are difficult, the solution might be as simple as giving someone a reason to care. Ĩ 30 WWW.AGRM.ORG MAY/JUNE 2018 The difficulty of uncovering the impact of problem gambling is extensive. It is easy to ignore the issue in light of other social concerns among homeless people that might be more prevalent. Helen lives in Loveland, Colorado, and has been a writer, editor, and online content developer for more than 20 years. She is a part of the Langham Partnership USA com- munications team, and works as a consultant on communications for nonprofits and ministries with Cedarstone Partners. She can be reached at htgoody@gmail.com.