Average Debt of Gambling Addict Jumps to $157,100

Problem gambling continues statewide
Hotline gets fewer calls, but the debt reported is higher
Written by Alex Morrell Green Bay Press-Gazette

Calls to a statewide gambling help line dropped last year from 2010, but an organization that works to help gambling addicts says the problem remains significant in Wisconsin.

Calls to the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling's Helpline dropped from 14,380 in 2010 to 13,528 last year, but the organization noted the average caller debt more than tripled.

"While that's a 6 percent drop from 2010, it's not surprising that the call activity remains brisk given the economy and the availability of gambling in person and on the Internet," said Rose Gruber, the council's executive director. "What is alarming, however, is that the average reported debt from callers in 2011 jumped to $157,100 from the 2010 level of $43,800."

Statewide, an estimated 342,000 people are problem or compulsive gamblers, according to the organization.

The large increase in reported debt was because of several callers who had amassed well over $100,000 in debt, Gruber said.

"We've found that most problem gamblers are pretty good at hiding their addiction, so many of them face mounting debt before they take the step to call for help. By then the gambling problem has typically affected many others, including the gambler's family, friends and often his or her employer," Gruber said.

According to the gambling help hotline's 2011 data, 45 callers reported thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts, and 22 callers reported having to file for bankruptcy.

The council doesn't expect the problem to diminish, especially in the beginning of the year, which is packed with popular sports gambling events.

"We typically see a spike in calls this time of year," Gruber said. "Holiday shopping bills are arriving in the mail, and there's also the temptation of the college football bowl games and the pro football playoffs, including the Super Bowl."

The council's hotline tends to see about a 10 percent increase from problem gamblers following large sports events like the Super Bowl