DES MOINES – Gov. Branstad signed a proclamation Friday announcing April as Problem Gambling Awareness Month.
While gambling is harmless entertainment for most Iowans, gambling can lead to personal and financial problems for others. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), 294,000 adult Iowans experienced a problem related to their gambling in the past year.
During Problem Gambling Awareness Month, Iowans are encouraged to have the conversation about gambling with those they care about.
“We know the majority of Iowans who gamble do so because it’s fun and they don’t have any problems as a result of it,” said Eric Preuss of the of the IDPH Office of Problem Gambling Treatment and Prevention. “But for those with a gambling problem, many suffer in silence because they don’t know why they developed a problem, what gambling addiction is, or where to get help.”
Have a conversation about how gambling affects your life if you or someone you know shows symptoms of problem gambling, including:
- Thinking a lot about gambling, such as past gambling experiences, future gambling ventures, or ways of getting money for gambling
- Needing to gamble with larger amounts of money or with larger bets in order to get the same feeling of excitement
- Repeatedly trying to cut down or stop your gambling without success
- Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling
- Gambling to run away from problems or to get relief from feeling depressed, anxious, or bad about yourself
- After losing money gambling, often returning another day in order to win back your losses
- Lying to family members, friends, or others in order to hide your gambling from them
- Losing or almost losing a significant relationship, job, or an educational or career opportunity because of gambling
- Relying on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling
The Office of Problem Gambling Treatment and Prevention works to reduce the harm caused by problem gambling by funding a range of services for Iowans. These services include outpatient counseling for problem gamblers, concerned persons and family; recovery support services; financial counseling, including budgeting and debt reduction plans; and state-wide information and referral services.
Do you know someone with a gambling problem? Call 1-800-BETS OFF.
Some folks have been known to crap themselves as they don’t want to leave a slot machine. That is a serious gambling problem.
I used to work at harrahs in laughlin, I was a slot tech, programming and repairing the slot machines and i saw that a lot. I talked to people that lost every thing then went and signed up to be banned from every casino in town. Then as the assistant general manager i had to do the paperwork for those who was banned.
I worked with some people in Minnesota who were big time gamblers. One lost his home and another lost his brand new pickup. One of my relatives lost his house and car in a poker game.
People have been known to crap themselves while sitting at a slot machine, that is hardcore
Gambling broke up a good friend’s long marriage. It’s very sad when that happens. All their retirement was gone.
same thing happened to me
gambling is an addiction just like any other addiction. It can ruin lives just as fast as heroin.
It is not considered a problem as long as the state gets your money!!
If you gamble anywhere else, its a problem