March Spotlights Problem Gambling Addiction Awareness

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• John Habershaw

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• Casper, Wyo. - Since 2003, the month of March has put a spotlight on an addiction millions of Americans deal with every day, and that is problematic gambling.

"Anyone who gambles is at risk of developing a problem."  According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, an estimated 2.5 million adults in the US meet the criteria for severe gambling problems in a given year. Wyoming Gaming Commission's, responsible gaming liaison Sara Beth Lyon explains, while there isn't much data on the severity of gambling addictions within the state, there has been a growing trend. "What we see here at the commission is a lot of self-exclusions, of people saying mmm I have a problem I need some help not gambling."

Now that gambling is more readily accessible across the state, Lyon believes it could potentially increase the risk for problematic gambling. "No matter what county you live in, there is access to online sports wagering and skill based amusement games, the parimutuel wagering at the off track betting locations is not legal in all counties but it is readily available and with that increase, comes an increase in the potential for problems."

Lyon states help address problem gambling here in the state, the commission partnered with the National Voluntary Self-Exclusion Program back in December. "It's a work in progress and getting better but since we've partnered with them we had about 25 people on the list before, that number has tripled almost in just 3 months." Unlike other addictions, such as alcohol, and drugs, gambling is very different, but Lyon explains that there is hope and that the gaming commission is there to help.

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John Habershaw

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