March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month
Lake County, OH: Lake County ADAMHS Board and Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers in collaboration with the National Council on Problem Gambling, dedicates March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM). 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of Problem Gambling Awareness Month.
Problem gambling is defined as all gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits. Approximately 2 million U.S. adults (1% of the population) are estimated to meet criteria for severe problem gambling. Another 4-6 million (2-3%) meet the criteria for mild or moderate problem gambling. The amount of calls to the Gambling Help Hotline tripled after sports betting in Ohio was legalized beginning in 2023. In January 2023, the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio received 1,492 calls into their helpline. That’s compared to 456 in January 2022. Cleveland saw 3X the volume of calls for help as Columbus and Cincinnati.
The Lake ADAMHS Board with the Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers will host a FREE Gambling Disorder Screening Day on March 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at their Mentor location at 9083 Mentor Ave. This event helps identify signs of problem gambling and provides support to family members. On March 15th the Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers will lead a Problem Gambling 101 seminar, will educate the public about what is a problem gambling disorder. The event is from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hope Ridge United Methodist Church located at 9870 Johnnycake Ridge Rd in Mentor. This event is also FREE and OPEN to the public to learn more about prevention, treatment and recovery services.
Problem Gambling Awareness Month is designed to coincide each year with March Madness, during which Americans are expected to wager over $3 billion. For the majority of adults, gambling can be a fun and entertaining experience, but there are risks involved. Sports bettors are at particularly high-risk for developing a gambling problem. According to the National Survey on Gambling Attitudes and Gambling Experiences 2.0, four out of five sports bettors reported often needing to gamble more for the same feeling of excitement.
“Across Lake County during Problem Gambling Awareness Month, and throughout the year, Lake ADAMHS Board is committed to raising public awareness about what problem gambling is, and most importantly, the resources that are available to get help,” said Kim Fraser, Executive Director of the Lake County ADAMHS Board.
PGAM brings together a wide range of stakeholders, such as public health organizations, treatment providers, advocacy groups and gambling operators including Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers. They work collaboratively to let people know that hope and help exist. The hashtag for the campaign this year is #PGAM2023, which participants are encouraged to use across various social media platforms.
At Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers we have licensed, trained counselors who help individuals overcome gambling disorders by teaching them to recognize the signs and symptoms and encourage anyone looking for help to give us call,” said Melanie Blasko, President and CEO, Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers.
For more information on problem gambling for you or a loved one, and how to have the conversation, we encourage people to call Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers at 440-255-0678, go online at www.lgrc.us/problem-gambling-prevention/ or www.ncpgambling.org/faq.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network at 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.1800gamblerchat.org. Help is available 24/7/365 – it is free and confidential.
About the Lake County ADAMHS Board
The Lake County ADAMHS Board plans, funds, monitors, and evaluates services available to residents who are dealing with mental illness and or substance-use disorders. For more information, please visit www.HelpThatWorks.us or call our Compass Line at 440-350-2000
About Lake-Geauga Recovery Center: Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers is a private, non-profit agency providing continuous service to the community since 1971. The Center provides a wide range of services for adults whose lives have been affected by their own or another’s use of alcohol, drugs, problem gambling or by mental illness. Services at Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers are made possible due to the generous support of the Lake County ADAMHS Board, the Geauga Board of MHRS, and United Way of Lake & Geauga Counties. www.LGRC.us