Don’t Let Betting on the Super Bowl Take Control: The National Council on Problem Gambling Offers Help and Hope to Gambling Addicts
Washington, DC (PRWEB) January 31, 2014 -- The Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos take the field on Sunday, but the Lombardi Trophy is not the only thing on the line. The Super Bowl is one of the biggest gambling events of the year. For some gambling addicts, betting on the game is a desperate effort to get ahead or get even on their gambling losses. Approximately 3 million Americans meet the criteria for gambling addiction—enough to fill MetLife stadium 35 times!
Keith Whyte, Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, says “Many gambling addicts report losing substantial amounts of money. The problem gambler may feel the only way to get that cash back is to gamble more and more, desperately chasing their losses. This can lead to a downward spiral of increasingly negative consequences. The longer you gamble the more likely you are to lose.”
Signs of a gambling problem include:
• Using income or savings to gamble while letting bills go unpaid
• Repeated, unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling
• Being unable to set and stick to limits of time and money spent gambling
• Chasing losses
• Losing sleep over thoughts of gambling
• Arguing with friends or family about gambling behavior
• Feeling depressed or suicidal because of gambling losses
Problem gambling is not just an individual concern; it often leads to negative consequences for the entire community. Nationwide, gambling addiction costs society at least $6 billion per year.
If betting on a game means too much to you or someone you know, hope and help is available at any time. The National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-522-4700) is accessible 24/7 and you will be directed to help in your local area. Calls are free and confidential.
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is the national advocate for programs and services to assist problem gamblers and their families. NCPG was founded in 1972 and is neutral on legalized gambling. For more information, please visit http://www.ncpgambling.org.
Contact:
Keith Whyte 703-980-2140
keithw(at)ncpgambling(dot)org
Keith Whyte, National Council on Problem Gambling, http://www.ncpgambling.org, +1 703.980.2140, [email protected]
Share this article