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Experts Join Tribal and State Officials in Gambling Addiction Awareness Campaign

The week-long series of panel discussions, keynote speeches, employee training symposiums and other events is intended to generate awareness of gambling related problems among casino employees, patrons and the general public.

Treatment specialists, tribal leaders, state officials, casino executives and employees, the public and members of the press are encouraged to attend the sessions at no charge.

The weeklong series of events, titled "Tumbling Dice," is sponsored by the California Nations Indian Gaming Association and the California Council on Problem Gambling.

For most people gambling is harmless entertainment, but for some it can develop into a serious problem. Research shows between 1-2 % of the nation's adults have a severe gambling related mental disorder while another 3% have less severe gambling related problems. The prevalence rate of gambling problems in young people is higher than for adults. Teenagers and young adults are gambling on the internet, placing bets with bookies at their schools and buying lottery tickets.

"Because of the growth of gaming in California and throughout the country, we acknowledge it is the responsibility of tribal and state governments to work together to see to it that help is there for people who need it," says CNIGA Chairwoman Brenda Soulliere. "We intend to meet that responsibility."

Tribal governments have contributed $3 million to establish the office of Problem and Pathological Gambling within the state Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs. The office will administer a program for counselor training, education and public awareness of problem and pathological gambling. It will also provide for a crisis intervention telephone hotline operating every day around the clock.

"We have always appreciated the financial support of the tribes but this tribal initiative will certainly bring attention to the matter of problem gambling as never before," said CCPG President Bruce Roberts. "We hope everyone in the business of gambling will find a way to participate."

The annual event will consist three days of panel discussions, workshops and seminars at which the nation's leading experts will discuss problem gambling. Sessions will be held in Sacramento and at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula.

Topics will include the science of impulse control disorders and what can be done to treat problem and pathological gamblers. Tribal leaders and state officials also will discuss what tribal and state government leaders are doing to confront this public health problem.

Those scheduled to participate in panel discussions include: Dr. Ken Winters, director, Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research, University of Minnesota; Dr. Jeffrey Derevensky, professor of developmental psychology, McGill International Centre for Youth Gambling, Montreal; Rachel A. Volberg, president, Gemini Research; Keith Whyte, executive director, National Council on Problem Gambling; Joanna Franklin, director of training and development, Trimeridian; Tim Christensen, president, Association of Problem Gambling Service Administrators; Tim Fong, Director, UCLA Impulse Control Disorders Clinic; Richard J. Rosenthal MD, Co-Director, UCLA Center for Gambling Studies; and Dan Romer, director of adolescent risk communication, Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania.

Anyone seeking further information or a schedule of events is urged to contact CNIGA and the CCPG.

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