“I quit betting. Ask me how.”

More Ohioans seek gambling addiction help

State gambling addiction help line fielded more than 2,000 calls in the past fiscal year

Dec 10, 2012

AKRON — Ohioans with gambling problems are reaching out for help in greater numbers in the state where three casinos and one racino opened this year.

Phone calls to the state’s gambling help line are increasing, and more people are signing up for a voluntary program that bars them from entering a casino, the Akron Beacon Journal reported.

The Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline received 2,576 calls in the past fiscal year that ended in June, and more than 1,389 calls were received in the first four months of the current fiscal year, according to the newspaper.

The responsible-gambling program coordinator for the Ohio Casino Control Commission attributed that rise to a couple of factors.

More gambling options are now available in Ohio, and the help line number has been publicized more, according to commission coordinator Laura Clemens. She said the reasons people are seeking help also are changing.

The 31.4 percent of callers who had cited lottery games when they mentioned their gambling problem has fallen to 9.4 percent so far this fiscal year, and 20.5 percent now are reporting problems with slot machines and casino table games. That’s up from 17.1 percent.

The commission also said 163 people are participating in the voluntary exclusion program that began this year.

“We’re doing really well,” Clemens said about the number. “We’re averaging about 25 a month.”

People who know they have a problem apply through the commission to be banned from the casinos for one year, five years or life.

So far, 72 people have applied for the lifetime ban and 37 sought the five-year ban. A total of 54 asked for the one-year ban.

Of those in the program, 118 are men and 45 are women.

The first participant in Ohio was Justin Gale, of Mayfield Heights. The 52-year-old compulsive gambler has started a personal effort to promote the voluntary program.

On Wednesday, he stood for hours on Cleveland’s Public Square across the street from Horseshoe Casino Cleveland. Gale wore a T-shirt that read “I quit betting. Ask me how.”

Justin Gale, the first person to sign up to be banned from Ohio casinos, stands across from the Horsehoe Casino on Public Square in Cleveland to warn people about the dangers of gambling if they ask him. (Mike Cardew/Akron Beacon Journal)

Gale didn’t approach others, but answered any questions. He handed out a business card with the gambling help line number and the words “From Justin Gale, first excluded gambler in Ohio via the VEP program.”

“I’m going to be a walking advertisement,” he said. “If people want to talk to me and tell me their life’s story, that’s fine. If they just want a card, that’s fine.”

Gale said he isn’t opposed to casinos in Ohio and approves of people gambling responsibly. But he plans to spend 10 to 15 hours per week outside the casino.

He said he hasn’t gambled in more than 700 days, but “every day is still a struggle.”

The casinos in Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo and Scioto Downs racino in Columbus have been major attractions. A total of $392 million was gambled on slots and $86 million at table games in October.


http://www.chillicothegazette.com/viewart/20121210/NEWS01/312100010/More-Ohioans-seek-gambling-addiction-help

More Ohioans seeking help for gambling problems

By Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published: December 5, 2012

Supporting program

Justin Gale, a 52-year-old compulsive gambler from Mayfield Heights, was the first person in Ohio to participate in the program. The Beacon Journal profiled his lifelong struggle with betting on horses in May.

On Wednesday afternoon, Gale launched a personal effort to promote the state program.

He stood on Public Square, across the street from Horseshoe Casino in downtown Cleveland, for several hours in 36-degree weather wearing an orange neon hat, orange/yellow neon gloves and a long-sleeve T-shirt that read: “I quit betting. Ask me how.”

He didn’t approach anyone but answered questions for those who asked. He also handed out a tan business card with the gambling help line number and the words “From Justin Gale, first excluded gambler in Ohio via the VEP program.”

“I’m going to be a walking advertisement,” he said. “If people want to talk to me and tell me their life’s story, that’s fine. If they just want a card, that’s fine.

“I know I’m getting a message out … I’ve got to do something. I was just getting antsy to do something on a regular basis.”

Friends have questioned his sanity because he’s starting his effort during the winter. But Gale said he hopes people take him more seriously knowing that he’s committed to trying to help others who might have a problem.

As for his personal problem, “Every day is still a struggle, but I haven’t gambled in 703 days,” he said.
http://www.ohio.com/news/local-news/more-ohioans-seeking-help-for-gambling-problems-1.355839

More people signing up for gambling addiction help   Posted: 12.09.2012 at 9:40 PM

Bryant Maddrick

Bryant is a reporter and anchor for WNWO.

There's information that shows more Ohioans are seeking help for their gambling problems.

The Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline says they've received nearly 2,600 calls in their last fiscal year which ended in June.

In the first four months of this current fiscal year, the agency has already received nearly 1,400 calls where people are voluntary signing up for a program that bars them from entering a casino.

http://www.northwestohio.com/news/story.aspx?id=835289