Announcement from the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc.; Super Bowl Sunday Will Be A Sad Day For Some Gamblers And Their Families.

Sports Editors/Football Writers & Columnists

TRENTON, N.J.--(BW SportsWire)--Jan. 28, 2002

Gambling experts estimate over $4 billion will be wagered on Super Bowl XXXVI.

Nevada casino sports books, where sports betting is legal, will accept an estimated $80 million on this one game. "Super Bowl office pools and the growing problem of sports betting over the Internet have made Super Sunday the biggest betting day of the year," states Ed Looney, Executive Director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc.

Office pools throughout America will introduce some employees to the thrill and excitement of sports betting for the first time. Some will become hooked on the action and excitement. "Many of these pools are illegal and are becoming increasingly problematic for employers who either condone them or 'look the other way'. Super Bowl Sunday is one of organized crimes biggest betting days, when bookies from all 50 states will reap a big payday," according to Looney.

"There is also a major concern with the explosion of sports betting over the Internet in the past two years, " state Deputy Director Kevin O'Neill. An estimated $4.5 billion will be bet on the Net in 2002, up from $2.2 billion in 2000, according to Christiansen Capital Advisers. "A large percentage of this will be placed on sports betting, and particularly football," states O'Neill.

Treatment professionals predict a sad day for some gamblers and their families. "Sports betting is the third highest volume of calls to our Councils' HelpLine (1-800- GAMBLER(TM))," states Looney. Some calls following "Super Sunday" will come from emotionally and sometimes physically abused spouses and family members, due to irate and frustrated gamblers, who make their biggest bet of the year, and end up losing," states Looney.

The Council has already received desperate calls regarding the playoff games preceding this year's Super Bowl.

Dave, a 26 year-old from New Jersey, lost $3,200 to his bookmaker during the first series of playoff games. He stole his sister's credit card and went to Las Vegas with $3,000. He built it up to over $10,000 and then lost it all in 3 days. Dave contemplated suicide from his hotel room, and called home to his mother. His mother pleaded with him to come home, and then dialed 1-800-GAMBLER(TM). Dave and his family are now receiving the help they need.