COMPULSIVE BETTORS FIND REPORT USELESS IN KICKING HABIT.

Byline: Holly Edwards Staff Writer

For compulsive gamblers who have lost big and finally kicked the betting habit, the study released today showing their habit may be related to brain function is interesting - but ultimately useless.

Tom Tucker, executive director of the California Council on Problem Gambling, said Wednesday there are more than 2 million compulsive gamblers in the state, and many commit suicide or land in jail because of their illness.

``These studies are like asking why is the sky blue,'' Tucker said. ``The truth is it's a deadly disease and there's not a single dollar set aside in the state for treatment of compulsive gambling.''

Tucker said he lost about $1 million - his entire life's savings - when he was gambling, and acknowledged that losing was more of a thrill than winning.

``When you're gambling away the rent money or writing bad checks, you're really getting a bigger bang for your buck,'' he said.

A 71-year-old West Hills man in the Gamblers Anonymous program said he lost his swimming pool business - and almost lost his wife - before he stopped gambling.

And, he said, knowing the causes of his compulsion would have done nothing to help him.

``I decided to stop when I was late getting to the hospital for my daughter's tonsillectomy because I was at a card game,'' said Ted, who declined to give his last name. ``I just thought, What kind of father am I?''

Problem gamblers can contact the California Council on Problem Gambling by calling the toll-free hotline, 1-800-GAMBLER.