Gambling a devastating addiction

Pat Fowler: Gambling a devastating addiction

Joe went from placing dollar bets on football games at his high school to racking up so many sports betting debts, he and his wife had to declare bankruptcy. What began as a fun childhood pastime escalated into a devastating addiction. Today, Joe lives in Orlando and is in recovery with support from his wife and two daughters.

The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) is sharing the stories of compulsive gamblers like Joe as part of this year’s Problem Gambling Awareness Week (PGAW). During the week of March 6-12, the FCCG and its many supporters and partner agencies around the state are spreading the message of hope that help and treatment is available for those adversely affected.

The recovering compulsive gamblers working to help FCCG this week are in various stages of recovery, and each of them has a personal perspective on the pain inflicted upon themselves and their family as a result of compulsive gambling.

Every day we hear statistics about a variety of topics including dangerous activities, life style risk factors, and diseases of the world. Most of these statistics go in one ear and out the other. They are just numbers. But when a real story of hardship and devastation is tied to the numbers, it makes us think and consider the people behind the ratios and percentages.

Most of these featured gamblers called the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling’s 24-hour HelpLine, 1-888-ADMIT-IT, seeking confidential guidance and resources on their road to recovery. Increasingly, those calls are coming from problem sports bettors who cannot just watch a basketball or football game for enjoyment. For them, compulsive betting on sports leads to escalating debt and deteriorating personal relationships. For some of them, their disease even leads to illegal acts to finance their gambling. It is fitting, then, that this year’s PGAW is focused on the impact that problem sports betting can have on both the gambler and their families.

With statistics documenting an increase in this type of betting in Florida, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling is planning a series of events during PGAW to spread awareness about problem sports betting and its effects.

Family conflict over gambling was prevalent in 89 percent of the households. More than half of the sports bettors were having difficulty at work due to their gambling. Half of the sports bettors had committed illegal acts such as fraud, larceny and embezzlement to finance their gambling. Suicidal thoughts or attempts were confirmed in 11 percent of those who called.

More than two dozen Florida municipalities across the state as well as elected officials, treatment support organizations, and gaming entities have joined with FCCG in this year’s theme of “Don’t Throw it Away: Blow the Whistle on Problem Gambling” to raise public awareness and highlight treatment options available to gamblers and their families. FCCG has also launched a Web site dedicated to PGAW, www.BlowTheWhistle2011.com.

The FCCG is urging Floridians to help raise awareness about the resources available through the confidential and multilingual HelpLine, 888-ADMIT-IT (236-4848). Together, all of us can ensure the people behind the statistics receive the help they need.

Pat Fowler

Executive Director,

Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling