Job layoffs, home foreclosures, falling or failing investments. These are just some of the impacts of the down economy across the United States. Many people are feeling the impact in different ways. For some, the troubled economy may be a push toward more gambling.
There's a real fear among those who work with problem and compulsive gamblers that people who now face financial trouble may look to get rich quick and try to turn things around by gambling. While most people will realize that trying to fix their economic problems by winning a big jackpot isn't realistic, there is a small percentage of the population that may be prone to problem behaviors or an addiction. It's that segment of the population that is a concern.
According to national estimates, 5 million to 7 million adults have serious gambling problems and another 15 million may be at risk. In Wisconsin, our estimates are that 5 percent to 7 percent of the population - about 333,000 people - are problem or pathological gamblers.
There are those who believe those numbers will increase because of the economy, but there's no study data available to indicate one way or the other. What is apparent is that more people are calling Wisconsin's Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLE-5).
Last year, Helpline calls hit 12,946, up 38 percent from 2007. And during the first three months of 2009, Helpline calls are up slightly from 2008's record pace.
It's important to understand that problem gambling is a progressive disease. It begins as a fun, recreational activity. But when gambling increases in frequency and intensity, and the gambler begins chasing his or her losses with the hope of winning the big jackpot, it may become a problem.
If you feel you may be heading down the road to a gambling addiction, or you know and are concerned about someone close to you, be sure to ask a few questions to determine if it may be a problem:
• Have you ever felt the need to wager more and more money?
• Have you stolen money to use to gamble?
• Have you ever lied about how much you gamble?
If you answered yes to these questions, it may be an indication of a problem. It's probably time to reach for help. That help is just a phone call away at 1-800-GAMBLE-5 (1-800-426-2535).
- Rose Gruber is Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling. The statewide nonprofit organization provides resources, public awareness, and education on problem and pathological gambling disorders while maintaining strict neutrality on the issue of legalized gambling. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLE-5 for confidential help.
There's a real fear among those who work with problem and compulsive gamblers that people who now face financial trouble may look to get rich quick and try to turn things around by gambling. While most people will realize that trying to fix their economic problems by winning a big jackpot isn't realistic, there is a small percentage of the population that may be prone to problem behaviors or an addiction. It's that segment of the population that is a concern.
According to national estimates, 5 million to 7 million adults have serious gambling problems and another 15 million may be at risk. In Wisconsin, our estimates are that 5 percent to 7 percent of the population - about 333,000 people - are problem or pathological gamblers.
There are those who believe those numbers will increase because of the economy, but there's no study data available to indicate one way or the other. What is apparent is that more people are calling Wisconsin's Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLE-5).
Last year, Helpline calls hit 12,946, up 38 percent from 2007. And during the first three months of 2009, Helpline calls are up slightly from 2008's record pace.
It's important to understand that problem gambling is a progressive disease. It begins as a fun, recreational activity. But when gambling increases in frequency and intensity, and the gambler begins chasing his or her losses with the hope of winning the big jackpot, it may become a problem.
If you feel you may be heading down the road to a gambling addiction, or you know and are concerned about someone close to you, be sure to ask a few questions to determine if it may be a problem:
• Have you ever felt the need to wager more and more money?
• Have you stolen money to use to gamble?
• Have you ever lied about how much you gamble?
If you answered yes to these questions, it may be an indication of a problem. It's probably time to reach for help. That help is just a phone call away at 1-800-GAMBLE-5 (1-800-426-2535).
- Rose Gruber is Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling. The statewide nonprofit organization provides resources, public awareness, and education on problem and pathological gambling disorders while maintaining strict neutrality on the issue of legalized gambling. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLE-5 for confidential help.
