Agencies Join to Promote Problem Gambling Awareness Week; Education Key to Avoiding Problem Gambling.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The California Horse Racing Board, California Gambling Control Commission and California Lottery have joined with the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Program's Office of Problem Gambling to promote National Problem Gambling Awareness Week through March 12. The weeklong campaign will increase public awareness about problem gambling behaviors by offering information, assistance and referrals to services.

"We want Californians to know that help and information are available for individuals who think they may have a gambling problem," said Sherry Ellis, director of the Office of Problem Gambling.

For the gambler, there is nothing like the rush of adrenaline when hitting the big prize. However, that momentary excitement can be offset by mounting debt in the face of excessive gambling losses. According to the Office of Problem Gambling, for the estimated 2 to 5 percent of the population and their families who experience the effects of gambling addiction, awareness is key to preventing gaming activities from spiraling out of control.

Gambling is legal in 47 states, and California is one of 16 states to offer problem gambling services. Problem gambling is defined as a pattern of gambling behavior that disrupts or compromises family or personal pursuits. Pathological gambling is defined as a loss of control over gambling and preoccupation with gambling. Problem gamblers often experience a range of symptoms, such as unsuccessful efforts to cut back gaming activities, lying to family and friends about money spent on gambling and excessive borrowing from family and friends.

According to the California Council on Problem Gambling, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping problem gamblers, 3,400 Californians called the organization's gambling help line in 2004, which represented a 21 percent increase from 2003. Callers were nearly evenly split between male (52.7 percent) and female (47.3 percent) and the majority of callers were between the ages of 26 to 55 years of age. Individuals most frequently reported stress, depression, anxiety, credit problems and alienation from family as negative effects of gambling.

This month, more than one million fact sheets on problem gambling behaviors will be distributed to Californians through lottery retailers and at horse racing tracks, card rooms and tribal casinos. An additional one million pieces will be disseminated to active and retired state employees. In addition, the California Lottery will run television and radio public service announcements on problem gambling awareness during the week.

Individuals seeking more information about problem gambling may phone 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.adp.ca.gov to order informational materials or to take a free interactive quiz to determine if they are problem gamblers.