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Casino Association Director Honored

"The contributions from the Illinois Casino Gaming Association over the past two years have allowed us to expand our programs and educate more people about compulsive gaming," said Wayne Burdick, president of the Outreach Foundation. "These contributions have allowed us to surpass many of the goals that we set for the organization when we first began."

In addition to underwriting 28 percent of the Outreach Foundation's budget, the ICGA funds 1-800-GAMBLER, a hotline that individuals who believe they have a problem can call to receive assistance in seeking help.

Two years ago the Illinois casinos formed the Illinois Coalition to Curb Problem Gambling to bring together the knowledge and resources of organizations that are actively addressing problem gaming in Illinois. Participants in the coalition include the Illinois Gaming Board, the Illinois Casino Gaming Association, Illinois Department of Human Services, the Outreach Foundation, Illinois Council on Problem Gambling and Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery.

The association is also a leader in promoting the self-exclusion program, under which casino patrons with a gaming problem can request not to be permitted to enter casinos. Additionally, Illinois riverboat casinos work closely with the Illinois Gaming Board to promote a statewide, state- administered self-exclusion program.

"I am honored that the Outreach Foundation has chosen me as one of their persons of the year and I believe it is important that the ICGA support organizations like this one," said Swoik. "A study by the Harvard Medical School found that 1.5 percent of the adult U.S. population suffers from pathological gambling. However small this percentage, the Illinois gaming industry takes problem gaming very seriously and the ICGA has taken significant steps to help those with compulsive gaming problems over the years."

Last month, the Illinois Council on Problem & Compulsive Gambling (ICPCG) presented its Industry Award to the ICGA at a conference held in conjunction with National Problem Gambling Awareness Week. The award was given to the association in recognition of its accomplishments and the vital role it plays in the state's efforts to curb problem & compulsive gambling.

"The Illinois Council is appreciative of the efforts of the ICGA in promoting awareness of the problem of compulsive gambling," commented Ira Gilbert, president of the ICPCG. "The ICGA is active in a variety of problem gambling programs and works closely with many organizations like ours to make the general public aware of the real presence of this ailment."

The mission of The Outreach Foundation is to increase public awareness about problem and compulsive gaming through its speakers bureau, to offer outreach to communities throughout Illinois, and to provide vital assistance directly to those addicted as well as their families, to help both recover. The Outreach Foundation also aids those seeking help to find professional counseling and other assistance. The Outreach Foundation does not take a stand for or against gaming.

The Illinois Casino Gaming Association (ICGA) is a not-for-profit organization representing the riverboat gaming industry in Illinois. Together, these businesses are the entertainment of choice for millions of people, recording nearly 20 million visits each year. According to a University of Illinois study, the Illinois casino gaming industry is responsible for 66,000 Illinois jobs and $2.2 billion in economic activity each year. The industry generates more than $540 million in funding for Illinois schools.

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