COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The week of
September 19th is
Responsible Gaming Education Week (RGEW), and Ohio For Responsible
Gambling is part of a national effort to increase problem gambling
awareness among gaming industry employees and customers.
Lori Criss, Director, Ohio
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, said RGEW
is a chance to offer employee education to those in the gaming and
hospitality industry. It also highlights responsible gaming
resources available to all Ohioans.
"Gambling is a source of entertainment for many, but it can be
problematic for some," Criss said. "With so many enticing new ways
to access gambling, we want to make sure Ohioans can identify
common red flags for friends, families, and coworkers."
Derek Longmeier, executive
director, Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, said people with gambling problems have
a 15 times higher risk of suicide, plus higher levels of drug and
alcohol abuse. Problem gambling also impacts friends and
families, with nine out of ten people impacted by someone's problem
gambling suffering their own social and emotional stress.
"Every Ohioan faces the consequences of problem gambling whether
they know it or not," Longmeier said.
With new forms of gambling like sports betting and e-bingo
potentially becoming legal in Ohio
soon, Criss said its essential to know where to get help for those
who might be struggling.
- Ohio's Before You Bet campaign
earned national recognition for its awareness and prevention
efforts. It features short quizzes to gauge problem gambling risk
levels, a free community toolkit, ideas on setting limits, and
links to get help if needed.
- Change The Game Ohio focuses on youth gambling and connecting
parents, educators, childcare providers, and children to the
resources available for prevention and treatment.
Longmeier said there are a variety of options to self-exclude
from gambling including technology banning products like
GamBan, GamBlock, or GAMSTOP to block access to online gambling
providers. Ohioans can also exclude themselves from gambling
locations in the state and from receiving a property's mail and
email advertising.
Anyone can visit www.beforeyoubet.org to access free tips and
resources. Ohio's Problem Gambling
Helpline is available any time of day or night at
1-800-589-9966.
Contact: Sarah Irvin Clark (614)
225-9100
sarah@irvinpr.com
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SOURCE Ohio for Responsible
Gambling