New York Increases Gambling Awareness
We are midway through National Problem Gambling Awareness Week around the U.S. and New York is doing its part to treat problem gambling. To be the top casino gambling destination in the Northeast, New York is competing with Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey.
New York has 68 recovery programs for those with gambling addictions, most of which are located near casinos or racetracks. That may seem like enough but Jerry Criss of the Center for Problem Gambling said more facilities and revenue are needed.
“The truth of the matter is that an alcoholic has to face passing by bars, seeing beer in all the food marts and so they have to just deal with that,” said Criss. “And so do our clients because I don’t think the state is going to change their position.”
Gambling revenue brings in millions of dollars but less than 1% goes toward treatment services. Other states are increasing their efforts as well. Washington has the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling, which recently launched a redesigned website that has information, news and other resources for dealing with problem gambling.
The expansion and accessibility of gambling opportunities hasn’t helped problem gamblers. It’s often referred to as the “hidden disease” since there are no blatant physical signs of addiction like in drugs and alcohol. Problem gamblers lead normal lives until they reach a tipping point, which is usually when thousands of dollars have been lost and help is sought. If the gambler still denies the problem, family members, friends or significant others need to step up and demand that they get help. A gambling problem is like a house of cards. When it starts to fall, it will fall fast and hard.
Tags: center for problem gambling, evergreen council on problem gambling, gambling addiction, gambling awareness week, new york, onlineroulette.net, problem gambling, problem gambling help, washington