Gaming Providers Encourage Responsible Gaming
Since 2003, August has been recognized as Missouri’s Responsible Gaming Education Month by the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling. First observed as a weeklong campaign by the American Gaming Association in 1998, the Alliance has expanded the effort to last the entire month.
“The Alliance’s goal with this annual campaign is to create awareness about responsible gaming throughout the state of Missouri,” said Jennifer Wilbers, chair of the Missouri Alliance and assistant deputy of administration for the Missouri Gaming Commission.
The Alliance and its members, a coalition of Missouri treatment providers, clinicians, recovery individuals and gaming organizations, have combined their collective resources to support the 2017 campaign.
“The Missouri Lottery has arranged for radio and TV public service announcements to air across the state, in addition to carrying out their annual retailer responsibility and integrity compliance program,” said Wilbers.
“Casinos in Missouri are also planning on-site activities, and will provide materials discussing responsible gaming, odds of winning and gaming machines to their patrons,” continued Wilbers.
The Alliance recognizes multiple strategies that can keep gambling a form of entertainment and reduce the chances of gamblers developing a bigger problem. These strategies include setting loss and time limits, only using discretionary funds, and taking breaks from gambling.
The awareness campaign is one portion of the Alliance’s overall mission, which aims to offer free treatment for problem gamblers and their loved ones through the 1-888-BETSOFF (1-888-238-7633) program.
To access free help from licensed professionals, please call 1-888-BETSOFF, email freehelp@888betsoff.org or visit 888betsoff.org. The Missouri Gaming Commission and the Missouri Lottery both offer their own voluntary, self-exclusion lists for problem gamblers.
Find the TV PSAs airing in August here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DTFDLDjals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfCMSb2EVxU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17D5OTx0Gx4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgLjgZAmTFw
About the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling (888betsoff.org)
The Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling, which was created in 1997, is a partnership between the Missouri Lottery, Missouri Department of Mental Health’s Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Missouri Gaming Association, Missouri Gaming Commission, Port Authority of Kansas City and a recovery community representative. The purpose of the Alliance is to educate Missourians on the potential characteristics and dangers of problem and compulsive gambling, to refer compulsive gamblers and their family and friends to free treatment through a toll-free help line, to prevent underage play and to promote responsible gaming.
