Shine the Light on Problem Gambling
The Hidden Addiction

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Lights on Problem Gambling: The Hidden Addiction.

Unlike other addictions, problem gamblers do not display physical signs. There are no “card marks” on the arms, no “roulette breath,” no “dice eyes,” and no saturation point. While visible symptoms are minimal, problem gamblers are often depressed, anxious, and may have suicidal thoughts. They often neglect family and friends,

run up large amounts of debt, and may be involved in illegal activity in order to fund their gambling addiction. Gambling addiction is a diagnosable and treatable mental health disorder. Help and hope are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Click here to order your free PGAM materials!

We all play a part

AWARENESS

By becoming educated about problem gambling you can help the FCCG raise awareness and bring this public health issue to light. Understand it, recognize it, and understand that this is a treatable problem.

STAND WITH US

As gambling continues to be more accessible, the FCCG needs your continued support in order for us to assist those who reach out for help. Contact us for FREE educational and training opportunities and become a responsible gaming advocate.

REMOVE THE STIGMA

Often times, people who are suffering with a gambling problem are reluctant to reach out for help. The FCCG helps thousands of people a year to understand that they are not alone and that treatment is readily available for ANYONE contacting the 24/7 confidential 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine.

Here are some facts about problem gambling

7B

the social costs per year alone represent billions of dollars

6M

millions of Americans suffer from problem gambling

45k

average debt of a problem gambler

80%

of the population has gambled in their lifetime

Problem gamblers don’t have to suffer in the shadows.
THE FCCG IS DEDICATED TO SHINING THE LIGHT ON PROBLEM GAMBLING BY RAISING AWARENESS THROUGHOUT FLORIDA AND BY PROVIDING RESOURCES AND SUPPORT TO ANYONE THAT IS NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY GAMBLING.

Organizations from around Florida are joining in support of PGAM.

View the List

Who are we?

We are the FCCG

Thousands of people contact the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) each year for help and information, and millions more have been exposed to the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine number and the services and resources the FCCG is able to provide to all Floridians. A gambling addiction can be devastating. This disease affects a person’s self-worth, their relationships with others, their financial livelihood – and while everyone’s story is unique, there is a common thread that links most callers. They are looking for a way to get their lives back on track. For 30 years, the FCCG has been instilling hope and furnishing help to those affected by problem gambling. Serving a state of 21 million people isn’t easy, but the FCCG staff does it with care, grace, and dignity. Meet our wonderful team!

Jennifer Kruse

Executive Director

Matt Laughrey

Deputy Director

Alan Abrams

Helpline Specialist/Peer Connect

Maggie Koziol

Director of Training

Marissa Pilolli

Director of Creative Marketing & Communications

Eric Randazzo

Director of Digital Marketing & Communications

We’re spreading the word about Problem Gambling Awareness Month!

“Awareness Now” Guest Lecture at the University of Florida

Festival de la Salsa

Good Morning, Seminole!

“Alive After 5” in Downtown Sanford

A gambling addiction can be hard to spot.
We are here to help.

Lying about gambling

Chasing your losses

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												<h3>Chasing your losses</h3>
												<p>A gambling addiction can be hard to spot. We often refer to it as the “hidden addiction.” However, there are some behaviors that can indicate a problem with gambling is present. Gambling addicts often chase their losses. They view the casino or gambling establish as simply holding their money and by engaging in more gambling, they can win it back.</p>
<p>In the poker world, players have coined the term “on tilt.” Being “on tilt” refers to when a player losses a big hand, gets angry, and seemingly acts reckless to get back his or her stack.</p>

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Gambling to Escape Unpleasant Emotions

Relational stress

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<h2 style="text-align: center;">Relationship Stress</h2>
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<p style="text-align: center;">Addiction often puts stress on those who surround the addict. While many gamblers themselves call our helpline, we get more than a fair share of the loved ones of gamblers who call, looking for help. A gambling addiction puts stress on the most important relationships.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gamblinghelp.org/problem_gambling/affected" class="g-btn color_primary size_big"><i class="fa fa-arrow-right"></i><span>learn more</span></a>

Borrowing money

Knowing what to look for isn’t enough. People need help.

Our Services

Helpline

The FCCG operates a 24/7, multilingual helpline designed to furnish help for gamblers or their loved ones. We connect people with the information, programs, and resources they need to rebound from a gambling addiction.

Recovery Path

We realize that many of our callers need help but don’t have the funds to get into treatment. Qualified callers can qualify for individual counseling, FREE of charge.

Peer Connect

Talking with someone who are successfully dealt with a gambling addiction offers immense value and insight. Our callers can speak with a peer, who can share helpful tips in how to survive recovery.

Groups

Self help groups are one of the most popular intervention in the problem gambling treatment world. We provide callers with the latest self help group information.

Toolkits

We have an abundance of great toolkits and print materials designed to spread awareness while giving people the resources they need to understand more about problem gambling.

Advocacy

On top of our prevention work and training casino employees, we also advocate and have a voice in policy made concerning gambling in the state of Florida.

Video

Visit our YouTube page to access our library of videos made over the years. Our page contains tons of awesome videos, highlighting our programs and services while sharing the stories of others affected by problem gambling.

Trainings

We regularly hold trainings and seminars throughout the year. In addition, we train casino employees around Florida in best practices when it comes to Responsible Gaming and Player Protection.

Research

The gambling and treatment fields are constantly evolving. We conduct and sponsor research to help better understand problem gambling.

Are you ready to start a conversation?

Get in Touch

Blog

Contact Us

121 E 1st Street, Sanford, FL 32771, United States

+888-ADMIT-IT

FCCG@gamblinghelp.org

Shine the Light on Problem Gambling The Hidden Addiction