Play it Safe
So the Game Doesn’t Take Control of You

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Problem Gambling is known as the Hidden Addiction. Unlike other addictions, problem gamblers do not display physical signs. There are no “card marks” on their 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 addiction. Gambling addiction is a diagnosable and treatable mental health disorder. Help and hope are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Want to order free PGAM materials?
Click here to download this year’s order form!

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

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

HELP AND HOPE ARE AVAILABLE: CALL 888-ADMIT-IT.
THE FCCG IS DEDICATED TO RAISING AWARENESS OF PROBLEM GAMBLING THROUGHOUT FLORIDA AND PROVIDING RESOURCES AND SUPPORT TO ANYONE SUFFERING FROM THIS HIDDEN ADDICTION.

Organizations from around Florida are joining in support of PGAM.

See Who is Participating This Year

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 over 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.

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

<div class="w-portfolio-item-details-content-preview">
												<div class="w-video"><div class="w-video-h"><iframe width="1500" height="844" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kkVYiCcp1ok?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>
											</div>
											<div class="w-portfolio-item-details-content-text">
												<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>

</div>

Gambling to Escape Unpleasant Emotions

Relational stress

<div class="w-slider">
						<div class="fotorama" id="slider_289482"
							data-shadows="false"
							data-glimpse="0"
							data-margin="0"
							data-loop="true"
							data-swipe="true" data-width="100%" data-arrows="always" data-nav="none" data-transition="slide">
<a href="http://ProblemGamblingAwarenessMonth.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/family-fight-1.jpg"><img src="http://ProblemGamblingAwarenessMonth.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/family-fight-1.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="http://ProblemGamblingAwarenessMonth.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/couple-fighting.jpg"><img src="http://ProblemGamblingAwarenessMonth.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/couple-fighting.jpg" alt=""></a>
<a href="http://ProblemGamblingAwarenessMonth.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Money-Trouble.jpg"><img src="http://ProblemGamblingAwarenessMonth.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Money-Trouble.jpg" alt=""></a>
</div>
					</div>
<div class="g-hr type_invisible">
						<span class="g-hr-h">
							<i class="fa fa-star"></i>
						</span>
					</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Relationship Stress</h2>
<div class="g-hr type_short">
						<span class="g-hr-h">
							<i class="fa fa-star"></i>
						</span>
					</div>
<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 to gamblers and 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. Callers can qualify for individual counseling, FREE of charge.

Peer Connect

Talking with someone who has 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 interventions 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. Click here to download the FCCG’s Financial Toolkit as a fillable and printable PDF.

Advocacy

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

Video

Visit our YouTube page to access our library of videos. Our page contains tons of awesome videos, highlighting our programs and services while sharing the stories of those 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

Don’t Make This Common March Madness® Bracket Mistake

Load More Posts

Contact the HelpLine

+888-ADMIT-IT

FCCG@gamblinghelp.org

LiveChat

+321-978-0555

Facebook

Twitter

Play it Safe So the Game Doesn’t Take Control of You