Adam Bubb, a professor of American studies, teaches two high-risk classes on campus: Gaming, Tourism and Pop Culture; and Casino Marketing and Management.
The classes teach students what’s happening on and under the table.
“I saw the need to actually create a class where there is a growing industry where there are a lot of job possibilities — plus, we have a lot of connections in the area,” Bubb said. “It provides the students with hands-on opportunities that you wouldn’t get in other classes or fields.”
Casino gaming is the second-largest industry in New Mexico and the second-largest grossing form of entertainment internationally, he said.
Veronica Deeds, a senior journalism major, said she registered for the Gaming, Tourism and Pop Culture class because she heard glowing recommendations from other students.
“We are learning about tourism and gambling at different casinos and how they work,” Deeds said. “We learn how they function from a management side as well, and ... about different marketing strategies at casinos. It’s really interesting to learn from all sides rather than just the consumer side.”
Although Deeds plans to be a journalist after she graduates in December, she said she feels the class may help her in the future. More than anything, she said she is excited about the class’ final assignment: creating and presenting a marketing campaign for Route 66 Casino.
“It will help me work in a team; it will help me pitch ideas to executives,” Deeds said. “I think that’s something useful for everyone no matter what field they are in.”
Bubb, whose background is in international and tribal gaming consultation, said that as a Ph.D. in American Studies, understanding such a large industry is important for students heading into marketing and management fields.
“(Gaming, Tourism and Pop Culture) really deals with learning the games, learning the math, learning the statistics, how to control the game and how to supervise the game, the security aspects of it.”
The first week of Bubb’s classes focuses on the risks of problem gambling and gambling addiction. He said he encourages students to think about gambling as a form of entertainment and not as a way to make money.
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“I always ask my students who gambles and who doesn’t,” Bubb said. “And I always tell them the best piece of advice that I can give is, ‘do not start gambling.’”
Gaming psychology is also discussed in class, he said. Bubb talks about the different types of gamblers and the statistics about who is more likely to play which games and why.
“I can tell you everything mathematically that could help you and you could have the perfect strategy. You could still go to the casino and lose nine out of 10 times because luck is ... people don’t realize how big it plays into gambling,” Bubb said.
Akash Patel, a senior business finance major, said he has learned some surprising things about the behind-the-scenes aspects of casinos while taking the Casino Marketing and Management course.
“It is so much more because of how (Bubb) teaches it,” Patel said. “He teaches you not to make money, but ... about the specific casino and the pitfalls and the good things.”
Patel said he doesn’t see a gambling issue on campus, but thinks the class will deter people from developing a problem gambling habit.
“I think it will open your eyes and say, ‘Okay, this is a business to take your money not to make money,’” Patel said. “I think people think, ‘Oh, I can take my $20 and come out of there with $80,’ but (Bubb) actually opens it up where you will end up coming out behind. It might help people to realize they have a problem.”
Lauren Marvin is the assistant culture editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @LaurenMarvin.
By Lauren Marvin
It’s an issue that spans age groups and is prevalent on college campuses: problem gambling.
Kandace Blanchard, clinical director for the New Mexico Council on Problem Gambling, said people with previous addictions are predisposed and more likely to develop gambling problems.
“It really doesn’t have to do with the money,” Blanchard said. “It really has to do with staying in action because if they are not in action they’ve lost that altered state of mind.”
The NMCPG provides a 24-hour hotline, an intensive outpatient program and free statewide therapy, she said. The non-profit organization also collaborates with Gamblers Anonymous, a support group, and other services that help with finances.
“Most people — 97 percent — they are going to gamble and they are going to do it for entertainment. So it’s usually about 4 percent of the population that gambles that de velops a problem,” Blanchard said.
Problem gambling is an issue on campuses nationwide, she said. Part of the problem develops from the excessive use of alcohol, and there tends not to be any stigma attached to problem gambling on college campuses.
“It’s kind of like a hypnotic state. They lose track of all their problems, all their negative feelings: depression, anxiety, and grief,” Blanchard said. “It’s like taking a mental vacation from all of that pain, and they just check out.”
According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, 75 percent of college students gambled in 2013. Approximately 6 percent of college students in the U.S. have a gambling problem.
According to the 2013 annual report from the NMCPG, of the 249 gambling clients treated, 6 percent were between the ages of 18-30.
Lauren Marvin is the assistant culture editor for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @LaurenMarvin.
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For help with problem gambling, call 1-800-572-1142
