Thad Labhart, clinical supervisor for Harney Behavioral Health, shared information about the gambling problem in Oregon through a Powerpoint presentation at a Grant County Safe Communities Coalition meeting late last year. He compared lottery sales in four counties of similar size from July 2005 to June 2006. Among the findings:

? Grant County spent $1,763,505 at 17 establishments.

? Lake County spent $1,666,202 at eight establishments.

? Wallowa County spent $823,824 at 11 establishments.

? Harney County spent $670,018 at eight establishments.

Labhart said that in 2002, Oregon spent $1.18 billion on all forms of gambling – 25 percent more than the national average. At the same time, Oregon is recognized as a leader in prevention, harm reduction and treatment for gambling problems.

The average income of gamblers seeking treatment in Oregon is $36,495, and the average age is 44.6. Of the gambler clients, 47.4 percent are male and 52.6 percent are female. The most popular gambling option is Video Poker (69 percent) which the Legislature allowed to increase by 20 percent in 2003.

Of those Oregonians who sought treatment, 81 percent of clients reported either no gambling or reduced gambling at six months post-treatment.

During Oregon Problem Gambling Awareness Week, the first week in March, Labhart will visit with Grant County middle-school students to discuss gambling prevention.