The NFL championship game this Sunday is also a day when gambling on the sport is at record levels. The leader of a group helping people with gambling addictions says be responsible in your betting.
Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling, Rose Blozinski, says the big game brings a person who is having trouble controlling their gambling to a potential crisis....
"..What we see as we get into the Super Bowl is people who are sports bettors, especially if they have a problem with it, it's kind of the make-or-break time of year. If they've had a losing season or trying to make back some money, this is where they're going to put down as much money as they can, and if it's an addiction, this is where it will come to a head...."
Blozinski says they were busy all of 2019....
"...We had 12,283 calls in 2019 as well as chat and text calls. We're starting to see an increase in those calls coming up...."
Those numbers are based on people willing to give personal information. Blozinski says 15 callers last year reported thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts. 30 callers had to file for bankruptcy because of their gambling problems....
"We don't always think of gambling that it can be that devastating, but financially, emotionally, legally, it really can be...."
Blozinski says If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling Helpline is at 1-800-GAMBLE-5, Text at 1-850-888-Hope or Live Chat through their website at www.wi-problemgamblers.org.
