Nebraska: Gambling Addiction

Nebraska treats 243 for gambling addiction in last fiscal year; average debt is $28,000


LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska provided gambling addiction treatment to 243 people during the last fiscal year.

The state Department of Health and Human Services reports the average gambling debt of those receiving treatment in 2009-2010 was about $28,000. About 60 percent of the people receiving treatment services were men, and the average age of those in treatment was 43. About 70 percent had full-time jobs.

Scot Adams is the director of the Division of Behavioral Health. He says gambling can be a serious problem from some people and can destroy their families and their finances.

Funding for the state's Gamblers Assistance Program comes from state lottery proceeds and the Health Care Cash Fund. Treatment services include crisis intervention, individual and family counseling, and group therapy.