Help is available for those who can’t control their gambling

Letter to the Editor

April 11, 2008 11:00 am

— As National Problem Gambling Awareness Week has drawn to a close, I would like to acknowledge the enthusiastic support of the Mississippi Belle II Wild Rose Casino, who invited me to spend the week at the facility providing materials on responsible choices and guidelines.
For most people, gambling is a social or recreational activity that is both fun and entertaining.
But for a small, yet significant few, gambling can lead to problems and become uncontrollable.
No one wishes to see this happen, and toward that end the MBII-Wild Rose Casino pays tens of thousands of dollars each year to the Iowa Gambling Treatment Program.
All casino advertising and promotional materials display the 1-800-BETSOFF hotline for Iowa as well as the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline for Illinois residents.
Through funding provided by the lottery and casino industry, Iowa is a leader among states offering gambling treatment and educational services for is residents.
We all want to keep it fun, but should problems arise, people are encouraged to take the first step by calling either the Iowa or Illinois helpline.

Margie Ruelberg,
Eastern Iowa Center for Problem Gambling, Clinton