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From March 1st through March 7th, the National Council on Problem Gambling hosts the seventh annual Problem Gambling Awareness Week. It's become a yearly staple of casinos and state lotteries as part of their outreach programs and the 2009 installment is no exception. Research has shown that between 2% and 3% of the U.S. population has a gambling problem. In raw numbers, this means between six and nine million Americans are affected. This year, the National Problem Gambling Awareness Week is designed to utilize social networking tools like YouTube in order to promote the message on a national level.

Participants of the 2008 Awareness Week included the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Illinois Council on Problem Gambling, Kansas Lottery Commission, Louisiana Lottery Corporation, Healthline.com, Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the Wisconsin Lottery. In many cases, involvement consisted of media appearances and customer outreach.

This year, Awareness Week organizers incorporated sites like YouTube in order to spread their message. An introductory video from Chairperson Jeff Beck claims, "Our theme is Real Addiction-Real Recovery. Literature suggests that shame and stigma and the belief that treatment will not work are the biggest barriers to treatment. We've set something up on YouTube where you can post videos directly detailing your addiction and recovery." There are a total of 21 videos on the site at the time of writing, including a message from the MCCG Asian gambling awareness organization. In addition, the Massachusetts Council on Problem Gambling and the Oregon Gambling Helpline have also posted information. Videos are available in multiple languages.

According to information posted on the Awareness Week's website, there are over 2,500 internet gambling websites in existence, 400 of which offer online poker. An average of five million bets take place daily. If you break that number down, it means that 300 bets occur every single second. Between 4% and 8% of youths between the ages of 12 and 17 have a gambling problem and another 10% to 15% are at risk.

The organization notes that the lack of formal regulation of the industry in the United States is a hindrance to preventing problem gambling from occurring. It's a sentiment that has been echoed by organizations such as the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) and Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association (iMEGA). Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) has stated that he will introduce legislation favorable to internet gambling in March. What a new bill will contain is not yet known.

National Council on Problem Gambling Program Manager Linda Abonyo stated in a press release that sites like YouTube "provide a cost-effective and confidential forum for individuals to interact with peers and experts without having to leave their home or office. More and more people are finding it easier to communicate through e-mail, online forums, and text messaging, so it makes sense that we should consider reaching out to our constituents through these outlets.”

Self-screening tests are available on the organization's website and include questions such as "Have you lied about your gambling to friends or family?" and "Have you been remorseful about gambling?" Free help is available around the clock by calling 1-800-522-4700. Screening tools include full-length questionnaires asking for information regarding gambling behavior, such as how often you play cards or dice, the largest amount of money ever wagered, and the fallout from gambling. Responses will tell you whether you are "at risk," a "potential problem gambler," or a "probable problem gambler." A Spanish screening test and a version revised for adolescents are also available.

For individuals wishing to promote the Awareness Week, its website includes ready-made text and graphics for op-ed pieces, television ads, radio ads, print ads, materials for public use, and materials for professional use. Some stats mentioned in these materials include that 80% of U.S. adults have gambled once in the past year and that every state except for Hawaii and Utah have some form of legalized gambling (these range from state lotteries to horse racing to full-blown brick and mortar casinos). I was amazed by the fact that 40% to 60% of the cash used in a casino comes from one of its ATMs.

A National Research Council study released in 1999 stated that 25% to 50% of spouses of pathological gamblers suffered domestic abuse. In Oregon, 40% of the members of the state's treatment program committed a crime in order to finance their gambling habit and 10% "formulated plans to commit suicide within six months of enrollment to treatment."

The 23rd National Conference on Problem Gambling Prevention, Treatment, Responsible Gaming, Research, and Recovery will occur from June 25th through 27th at the Hyatt Regency in Indianapolis, Indiana. A total of 100 presenters are scheduled to appear. Individual memberships to the National Council on Problem Gambling run $75; corporate memberships are $5,000. Call 202-547-9204 with any questions.

Visit the National Council on Problem Gambling's website for more information.