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If You Or Someone You Know
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Gambling is a popular form of recreation in Pennsylvania. You, your friends or co-workers may participate in an office pool, buy an occasional raffle ticket or spend a few dollars on lottery tickets. Most people who take part in these activities do not develop a gambling problem.
However, for some people, gambling is a problem. It may be the occasional case of getting carried away and overspending or it may be an ongoing problem with continual losses and mounting debts. At the extreme end is pathological gambling, where a person is unable to control their gambling.
20 Questions
The following 20 Questions are commonly asked to help individuals determine whether or not they have a gambling problem. A compulsive gambler will answer "yes" to at least seven of these questions:
1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?
2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
3. Did gambling affect your reputation?
4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?
6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
7. After losing, did you feel that you had to return as soon as possible and win back your losses?
8. After a win, did you have a strong urge to return and win more?
9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?
10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?
11. Have you ever sold anything to finance your gambling?
12. Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures?
13. Did gambling make you careless about the welfare of your family?
14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?
15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?
16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?
17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
18. Do arguments, disappointments, or frustrations create an urge within you to gamble?
19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?
20. Have you ever considered self-destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?
What can you do to help a problem gambler?
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If you think a family member, friend or a colleague has a gambling problem, you may feel reluctant to say some- thing to the person involved.
It's usually awkward to bring up personal issues and money can be a particularly sensitive subject area for discussion.
As a concerned family member, friend or colleague, you can, however, simply share your observations and ask them to contact the following national and state organizations for assistance, if needed.
The hotline number listed to the right (1-800-Gambler or
1-800-848-1880) provides confidential information and support to people with gambling problems or to those who are concerned about a family member, friend or colleague.
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is the national advocate for programs and services to assist problem gamblers and their families. The NCPG is neither for nor against legalized gambling. Their primary concern is to help problem gamblers and their families. The mission of the NCPG is to increase public awareness of problem gambling, ensure the availability of treatment for problem gamblers and their families, and to encourage research and programs for prevention and education.
Major National Council on Problem Gambling programs include:
• Operation of a 24 hour confidential National Problem Gambling Helpline as a single national access point to local resources.
• Administration of the National Certified Gambling Counselor (NCGC) credential.
• Holding the annual National Conference on the Prevention, Treatment, Research and Recovery of Problem Gambling.
• Distribution of literature on problem gambling treatment, research and recovery.
• Organization of National Problem Gambling Awareness Week.
• Providing education on problem gambling issues to Federal, state, tribal and international governments and agencies.
Contact information:
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
730 11th Street, NW, Ste 601
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 547-9204
Fax: (202) 547-9206
E-mail:
ncpg@ncgambling.org
Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania (CCGP)
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania (CCGP) is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the National Council on Problem Gambling. Its purpose is to educate and disseminate information on problem gambling and to facilitate referrals across the State of Pennsylvania.
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania provides speakers, workshops, seminars, and information on this public health problem to business, industry and labor groups, schools and colleges, health care and treatment facilities, and to community and religious organizations.
Contact information:
Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania, Inc.
1233-B Wharton Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Phone: (800) Gambler or (800) 848-1880
Fax: (215) 389-1408
E-mail:
ccgofpa@aol.com
Additional Information
Additional information on problem gambling including the Self Exclusion Program can be found on the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board website. You may also check your local phone directory to find a support group close to you, your family member, friend or colleague.
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