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Purpose /
Accomplishments
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FAQ
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Testimonials
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Links
Purpose
The Prevention Council’s Problem Gambling Prevention Program is
dedicated to increasing public awareness of the potential
problems associated with gambling and providing referral to
individuals and families struggling with problem and/or
pathological gambling. In addition, we provide educational
programs to parents, schools, and community organizations and
are available to help communities mobilize around the issue of
problem gambling.
Accomplishments
Direct presentations and/ or media messages on adolescent
problem gambling were delivered by the program to approximately:
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7000 Saratoga County Parents
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1500 Saratoga County Youth
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900 Saratoga County Professionals
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Overall approximately 5% of the
total Saratoga County population
Please note
that these numbers are underestimated, as it is often difficult
to directly measure the impact of media efforts such as print
and radio advertising.
FAQ
My kids often have friends over to play poker or we
play as a family. Is there anything wrong with that?
Playing poker
in a private home is not illegal. However since some people may
be more at risk of developing a problem than others, you need to
decide if it is worth the risk for your child. If you decide to
allow or to participate in gambling activities in your home,
it's important to be aware of how often the kids are playing,
for how long, and the amount of money being wagered so that you
can set appropriate limits. Always check with other kids'
parents to make sure they are allowed to participate in gambling
activities like poker before allowing games at your home.
Every summer we go to the
Saratoga Racetrack as a family and I usually give my kids a
couple dollars to bet on a horse or race. What’s the big deal?
Gambling on
horse racing is illegal for anyone under the age of 18.
Introducing youth to any form of gambling at an early age
increases the likelihood that they will develop gambling-related
problems at some point during their lifetime.
My kid plays poker on the Internet, but not for money --
just for fun. Should I allow it?
Gambling at
“non-pay” poker sites is legal. However, these sites are often
young peoples' first introduction to gambling, and the rate of
winning is unrealistically high. Youth often feel that if they
were able to play "for real,” they would be able to make money.
When they transfer to pay sites, their activity not only becomes
illegal, but their rate of winning decreases significantly.
Credit card debt can accumulate quickly this way, so be aware of
your kids' activity on the Internet and keep close tabs on your
credit card statements.
I’ve heard some teens talking about a game called C-lo. What
is it?
C-lo (sometimes
spelled cilo, celo, cee-lo, or cee-low) is a game of chance
played with three 6-sided dice. Bets are placed on each throw of
the dice and debt can accumulate quickly. If you think your
child is playing C-lo discuss it with them immediately.
Do that
many people in our area really develop/ have problems with
gambling?
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National
data on problem gambling indicates that approximately 1 out of
every 25 youth between the ages of 13-17 is at-risk of
developing a problem related to gambling.
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According to a 10-year survey by
the New York Council on Problem Gambling (1986-1996), 328,000
adults across the state had experienced difficulties related
to their gambling habits.
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Research also shows that problem
gambling increases by as much as 50% within 50 miles of a
gambling facility.
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The Center for Problem Gambling in
Saratoga Springs, NY, reports that by the time people enter
treatment their debt averages $40,000.
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In addition to financial
difficulties, other serious consequences of problem gambling
include family conflict, social and emotional problems, and
suicide.
How would I know if someone has a problem with gambling?
Be aware of the
warning signs, which can include:
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Increased
time spent engaged in gambling activities
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Decrease in
previously enjoyable activities and primary interest in
gambling related activities
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Increased
anxiety and depression
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Problems at
home and/ or with friends, significant other
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Financial
difficulties despite regular income
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Selling
possessions to finance gambling
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Unexplained
absences from school or classes
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Sudden drop
in grades or failure to complete assignments on time
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Change of
personality or behavior
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Exaggerated
display of money or other material possessions
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Daily or
weekly card game
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Bragging
about winning at gambling
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Intense
interest in gambling conversations
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Unusual
interest in newspapers/magazines/periodicals/sports scores
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Unaccountable explanation for new items of value in possession
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Borrowing or
stealing money
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Withdrawing
from family and friends
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Uncharacteristically forgetting appointments or dates
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Exaggerated
use of word “bet” in vocabulary and/or use of gambling
language in conversations (e.g. bookie, point spread,
underdog, favorite)
What should
I do if I think someone I know might have a problem?
If it is your
peer:
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Tell your
friend that you care about him/her and that you feel concerned
about the way you see him/her acting. "You're a good friend,
and I'm upset because I see you doing things that are really
risky."
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Tell your
friend exactly what he/she has done that concerns you. "Last
night you were going to spend only $20 and yet you lost over
$300."
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After you
tell your friend that you care, what you've seen and how you
feel, it's important to be willing to listen to what he/she
says.
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Tell your
friend what you would like to see him or her do. "If you're
going to gamble, I want you to set a limit for losses ahead of
time and stick to it."
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Tell your
friend that you are willing and able to help. “I'm always here
if you need a friend to talk to or just a hug."
If it is your
child:
Testimonial
In November 2005, Problem Gambling Prevention Services
of Saratoga County began investigating the nature of gambling in
Saratoga County, the services available to county residents, and
any unmet needs of the communities within the county. It quickly
became apparent that gambling has become normalized and is
taking place at all age levels.
Through
information gathering, informal focus groups and meetings with
key community leaders, it became evident that the primary goal
for the first year of this program should be increased awareness
about the potential problems related to gambling and the
resources available to those who need help. Through radio
advertisements and interviews, newspaper articles, and other
targeted forms of outreach, this goal has begun to be realized.
Following
several efforts during National Problem Gambling Awareness Week
in March 2006, both The Prevention Council and The Center for
Problem Gambling began receiving calls from local community
members offering personal stories of recovery, support for
future initiatives, and requests for help for themselves or a
loved one. As part of these efforts to increase awareness,
Problem Gambling Prevention Services encouraged Saratoga Gaming
and Raceway to add problem gambling literature to their brochure
racks.
Recently, a
Saratoga Springs resident was experiencing great distress and
concern over his wife’s gambling. He went to Saratoga Gaming and
Raceway looking for help and asking for information. He was
given a brochure for
The Center for Problem Gambling, our local treatment center.
When he called them for help, his comment to the intake worker
was, “I was so grateful there was information available for me
and I was able to find the help I needed for myself and my
wife.”
Knowing that
our outreach and public awareness efforts have helped even one
person get the help they need confirms what we already know:
People in Saratoga County are having problems with gambling but
don't know where to turn. According to the Center for Problem
Gambling's former executive director, Maureen Corbett, “We know
that your efforts are making a difference because we've had an
increase in referrals. It's only a matter of time before we
start to see the true impact of your work.”
Key
informant interviews and informal information sessions were
conducted with:
Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward
Assemblyman Roy McDonald
Saratoga County Board of Supervisors
Mayor John Romano
Mayor Anthony Sylvester
District Attorney James Murphy
Saratoga Springs Police Department
Saratoga Springs High School
Maple Avenue Middle School
Stillwater Central School District
Mechanicville Central School District
South Glens Falls Central School District
Ballston Spa High School
Schuylerville High School
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School
Several community and youth-based organizations
Partnerships were developed with:
The Center for
Problem Gambling
The New York Council on Problem Gambling
The Saratoga Partnership for Prevention
Franklin Community Center
Northeast Career Planning
The Capital District Bankruptcy Bar Association
Skidmore College
The Shenendehowa Community Coalition
Links for more information
Association of Problem Gambling Professionals
For
Parents:
Center for
Problem Gambling
www.fcscapitalregion.org/gambling/index.cfm
New York
Council on Problem Gambling
www.nyproblemgambling.org
New York State
Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
www.oasas.state.ny.us
McGill
University-Youth Gambling International
www.youthgambling.org
For Youth:
Youth Bet
www.youthbet.net
Friends 4
Friends
www.friends4friends.ca
Talk It Out
www.gamtalk4teens.org
For
Help:
Addiction Services 24-Hour Help Line
Find help for Problem Gambling, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse
1-877-8 HOPE NY
Gamblers
Anonymous
www.gamblersanonymous.org
Center for
Problem Gambling
www.fcscapitalregion.org/gambling/index.cfm
For more information,
please call 518-581-1230. |
