Social Effects Economic Effects Special Programs & Services      Within the United States, the ongoing rise in legalized gambling opportunities is largely due to increasing public acceptance of gambling as a form of recreation, coupled with assurances of substantial economic benefits and tax revenues for communities where the gambling is located. The primary question lying at the basis of all gambling proposals is whether the benefits outweigh the costs. This is particularly difficult to quantify when social costs are far more complicated to measure than economic impacts. Despite increased research in the field, there is little definitively known.      In addition to the cost of problem gambling to individuals, including but not limited to financial and legal difficulties and relationship and employment problems, many suffer from physical and emotional issues. Research has also shown that many compulsive gamblers suffer from alcohol, drug and mental health-related problems and have a higher rate of suicidal ideation and attempts than persons suffering from other addictive and mental health disorders. Compulsive gamblers are also more likely to exhaust personal finances resulting in engagement in illegal activity. Studies have concluded that two out of three pathological gamblers commit illegal acts in order to pay gambling-related debts and/or to continue gambling. Further, according to published reports, the percentage of prison inmates who have gambling problems appears to be much greater than the general population.      The families of problem gamblers also suffer greatly and experience physical and psychological abuse, as well as harassment and threats from bill collectors and creditors. Increased stresses stemming from neglect, abuse and divorce also impact heavily on this population. Further, as compulsive gambling leads to numerous credit card and legal problems, including bankruptcy, embezzlement and fraud, families are often the first to feel the adverse effects. Compounding this problem is the ease in which an individual (or gambler) can obtain or access credit and file bankruptcy. However, little is known as to how many problem gamblers are unemployed and/or ultimately present in homeless shelters, food pantries or to health and human service agencies seeking government supports.      According to prevalence studies in Florida, problem and pathological gamblers across age groups use tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and drugs more often than other groups. Pathological gamblers also report drinking more than persons falling within other categories. Similarly, problem and pathological gamblers report engaging in illicit behavior and experience depression, arrest, treatment for a drug or alcohol problem, and difficulties with family members or friends at higher rates than other groups. It is also true that at-risk/problem adolescent gamblers are more likely to have sold personal or family property, stolen other things, bought or sold stolen property or borrowed money from friends/acquaintances without their knowing in order to obtain money to gamble or to pay off gambling debts.      Finally, per data compiled from the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling 24-hour HelpLine, for the period of July 1, 2002-June 30, 2003, based upon nearly 7,000 contacts, a considerable number of callers identified they were experiencing personal, familial and/or financial problems due to gambling. Charges to credit cards were also substantial. Moreover, of the 495 persons who responded to information relating to bankruptcy, 13% advised the gambler had gone bankrupt.      Although research in this area is still needed, there is clear evidence that the social effects of pathological gambling, though challenging to quantify, are real, particularly to persons experiencing the consequences.