The month is designed to help raise awareness of the prevention, treatment and recovery services available for those adversely affected by gambling.
In Wisconsin, the Council On Problem Gambling's Executive Director Rose Blozinski says March is picked as the month to raise awareness because people tend to gamble a bit more...
"...March Madness is coming up, we're past the Super Bowl, People who do sports betting should be real cautious because it's real easy to get caught up in the excitement of the game, You want to set limits if you're going to place bets. Don't take money you would use for other things...."
Blozinski says with gambling there are few outward signs to show 'silent addiction' is creeping up on you..and many are nearing the bottom...
"....they can get into financial problems. They can get into a really deep depression because nobody is going to see it. There's nothing to test. There's no blood test that tells you you're a compulsive gambler. So you can hide if from family members, friends and co-workers until the point very often by the time people reach out for help they're suicidal, they've done something illegal to get money to gamble...."
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling has a hotline at 1-800-GAMBLE-5 or at their website wi-problemgamblers.org
The Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling is funded by a public awareness grant from the State of Wisconsin and additional funding from donors, including Wisconsin Native American tribes.
