Blotter: National Problem Gambling Awareness Week: 7-12 March
The US National Council on Problem Gambling has announced the start of National Problem Gambling Awareness Week on 7 March. The Council, along with affiliated councils in thirty-five of the fifty US states, is promoting the events of this week in an effort to raise awareness and discussions about the nature of gambling addiction, as well as informing those players who may have issues where they can get help.
Another facet of the public service announcements is to help the families of compulsive gamblers affected by the such addiction. Jeffrey Beck, chairman of the campaign, stated that this year’s theme would be "Gambling: The Invisible Addiction". Unlike substance addictions, which can be detected by tests on hair, blood or urine, gambling addiction carries no noticeable chemical traces. According to Beck, this makes gambling addiction that much harder to detect and treat before the addict hits "rock bottom".
The Project for the Treatment of Problem Gambling at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is participating in the public awareness campaign. Lake Charles, a small town in the southwestern part of the state, has several casinos and racetracks within twenty miles of downtown and attracts visitors from larger cities in nearby Texas, such as Houston and Beaumont, where casino gambling is illegal.
The timing of the event coincides with "March Madness", the start of the NCAA basketball tournament and one of the biggest multi-day sports gambling events of the year in the US. In addition to legal bets made in Las Vegas, many offices, taverns and other groups offer betting pools on the outcome of the tournament bracket. An activity that many players consider a fun springtime diversion can lead to serious problems for players prone to compulsive gambling.
The Council has also created several ways to access information on help for problem gambling issues. In addition to a special section on their website, they have developed a specialty site at www.npgaw.org. For players seeking immediate counseling, call 1-800-GAMBLER (426-2537).
Recent Entries
- WinPalace Casino Ready To Shine With Casino Bonuses
- Greece drafts online gambling legislation
- Hurricane Earl disrupts online casino – Online Casino News
- Weekend casino bonus at Lucky Red
- Tottenham favoured for Champions League progress – Online Casino News
- New York Giants Drop First Official Home Game At New Meadowlands Stadium To Pittsburgh Steelers 24-17
- British Columbia online casino black online
- Petersen joins instructor stable at CardRunners.com – Online Casino News
- Finland government support for online poker monopoly draws criticism
- Cincinnati Bengals Set As Betting Favorite Over Denver Broncos In Second Pre-Season Game
