Organizations Working To Raise Awareness About Gambling Addiction In Illinois – WSIU

An estimated 2% of Illinois adults have a gambling problem, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling. But its unclear which populations are most affected and at risk.

The Illinois Department of Human Services launched a new study last fall aimed at collecting data on the issue of gambling disorders in the state. The agency has also issued several new grants to organizations and treatment providers across the state aimed at raising awareness and removing barriers to treatment for those with gambling disorders.

Christine Herman spoke with Gateway spokeswoman Teresa Garate and MAHAs substance abuse program coordinator Lina Xie to learn more about the issue of gambling addiction.

One of the recipients is Gateway Foundation, a Springfield-based addiction treatment center.

Teresa Garate, Gateways vice president of strategic partnerships and engagements, says the pandemic has caused many people in addiction recovery to relapse and she suspects the same may be true for people with gambling disorders.

The fact that you can now access gambling on your phone, especially sports betting makes it very, very easy and very accessible to do, even when youre at home, Garate says. And weve also seen, of course, more people with anxiety and depression and uncertainty about the future, because of COVID.

Garate says barriers to treatment can include lack of awareness and understanding of the problem, insurance coverage and stigma.

The fact that people dont see it as an addiction makes it even harder for people to be self-aware and understand that they have a problem, that they need help, she says. Theres a lot of stigma related to this.

Lina Xie, who leads the Midwest Asian Health Associations substance abuse program, says anecdotal reports led her to the understanding that gambling is an issue that many [community] members are concerned with.

Thats what motivated MAHA to seek out state funding to launch a gambling awareness program and also participate in the statewide study on the issue.

In honor of March as Gambling Awareness Month, Gateway and MAHA will join The Way Back Inn and TASC-Illinois to host a free virtual speaker series on gambling disorders from March 29 to March 31.

The webinars will look at public health policies for addressing gambling disorders, the importance of ending stigma and practical information on how to access treatment. More information can be found online.

If you or someone you know has a gambling disorder, the states helpline is 1-800-GAMBLER. You can also test ILGAMB to 53342 or visit http://www.weknowthefeeling.org.

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Organizations Working To Raise Awareness About Gambling Addiction In Illinois - WSIU