Wager Danger

Bob and Shane review content from previous shows and discuss Wager Danger’s role in creating an awareness of problem gambling for the listener.* 

*the topic of suicide is discussed in this episode.  If you or a loved one is struggling or in crisis, help is available.  Call or text 988 to speak with a counselor – available 24/7.

Gateway Foundation

2021 Statewide Assessment of Gambling and Problem Gambling in Illinois

Ask a gambler their winning percentage and you’ll probably get a response that’s not true. Elizabeth Thielen, the Gambling Program Director of NICASA Behavioral Health Services joins the show to discuss how unlikely partnerships (e.g., NFL Foundation, NCAA, FanDuel, National Council on Problem Gambling and Behavioral Health Providers) are banding together to create awareness campaigns to ensure gamblers participate mindfully and are cognizant of potential risks when gambling, and why “having a plan” is a key strategy to gambling responsibly and approaching gambling as a means of entertainment.

We also talk about awareness programs that are targeted at youth populations and explore why college and professional athletes are potentially at higher risk to problem gambling behaviors.

Additional resources for further information discussed in this episode:

• In-play betting as it relates to disordered gambling severity: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.574884/full
• Rate of disordered gambling among sports bettors higher than other gamblers; perception of control in sports bettors, etc.: https://www.ncpgambling.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/sports-gambling_NCPGLitRvw.pdf
• An article about athletes' concerns with how they are treated as a result of sports betting: https://www.si.com/betting/2021/08/09/gambling-issue-the-athletes
• A blog about athletes and problem gambling www.fightproblemgambling.com

Gambling in Illinois continues to grow!  More casinos are being built, video gaming terminals seem to be available on every corner and legalized sports betting is available through mobile devices. What can we do to better equip mental health professionals to recognize and respond to individuals that are experiencing problems related to gambling?  Bill Johnson, the Executive Director of the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling (ICPG) joins the show to discuss how ICPG plays a role in educating counseling professionals across the state AND how the ICPG is uniquely positioned to increase the public’s awareness of problem gambling.

*This episode discusses the link between Gambling Disorder and increased risks of suicide.  If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide or self-harm, immediately call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

What are the unique risk factors that parents, teachers and family members can recognize when interacting with teens and young adults?  Our panel of experts discusses and offer solutions that assist in limiting or preventing gaming and gambling harm to a vulnerable demographic.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/jul/11/my-son-would-be-shaking-trying-not-to-go-online-how-the-gambling-industry-got-its-claws-into-kids