March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month and for good reason. “We’re coming right off the Super Bowl where lots of money was wagered legally and illegally,” says Mike Sciandra, an addiction recovery advocate for Choices Treatment Center in Lincoln. “Now we’re in the middle of March Madness and it’s estimated 45 million Americans wager $3.1 billion legally and illegally on the NCAA Tournament.”
Sciandra says 80-90 percent of Nebraskans who gamble do so for entertainment purposes and it doesn’t impact their lives. He tells LNK Today 2-3 percent of gamblers have a problem. “And they’re the ones who have issue setting limits. It might not be on their minds all the time, but when they do it they have a problem. Probably need some education, maybe some counseling.”
Sciandra, a recovering gambling addict, says another one percent are what’s considered a disordered gambler. “Those are people who simply can’t control it. It becomes such a huge part of their life that it becomes out of control and they really can’t function properly in the rest of their lives.”
Sciandra says if you know someone who is a problem gambler there is help available through the Gamblers Assistance Program. The program is funded by a portion of lottery proceeds and offers free counseling and treatment services. Call the Nebraska Gambling Helpline at 1-833-238-6837 or click here.