INDIANAPOLIS – About 500 professionals and treatment providers are expected to attend the 23rd National Conference on Problem Gambling that will be held at the downtown Hyatt Regency Indianapolis – One South Capitol Avenue, 46204 – June 25-27. The Indiana Council on Problem Gambling, which advocates for services and treatment for problem gamblers and their families, is co-hosting the event.

Research indicates that 3 to 4% of those who gamble will develop a gambling problem that negatively impacts their life. Forty-eight states have now legalized some type of gambling as they have sought new revenue sources. Indiana was among the first states to allow casino gaming and now ranks fourth among states in terms of dollars wagered annually ($2.7B) at its 13 casinos and second in terms of revenue paid to Indiana’s General Fund ($900M). The Hoosier Lottery generates more than $200M for the state General Fund each year from revenues exceeding $800M. Additionally, there are nearly 2,700 state organizations approved to provide some type of charity gaming. Last year legislation was enacted that allows bars to have tip/punch boards and raffles.

“Opportunities to gamble in Indiana are plentiful,” said Jerry Long, Executive Director of the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling, which helped organize the conference. The Council is neither for nor against legalized gambling, but serves as a coordinator for gambling addiction recovery resources and appropriate funding, working with state and local government, the gaming industry, treatment providers, and recovering gamblers.

“From casinos to horse racing to charity bingo to the lottery, we’ve seen an increased use of gambling in Indiana and across the country to generate income for both government and charities. Now with Internet gambling becoming more prevalent, experts agree there will be an even larger increase in pathological gamblers. This has real implications for communities and families,” Long said.

Conference Highlights

Friday, June 26th conference highlights include a presentation on the “Rapid Expansion of Gambling Worldwide and New Initiatives for the Future” from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.; “Parental Attitudes Toward Youth Gambling: Results From a National Canadian Study” from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.; “Converting the Converters” will address how faith-based initiatives can help pathological gamblers from 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. The results of an NCAA study “Gambling Among College Athletes” will be presented from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Gambling and issues of race will be addressed through two sessions: “Are Older African-Americans At Risk for Problem Gambling?” from 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. and “Race-based Differences Among Callers to a Gambling Hotline” from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 27th conference highlights include “Shame, Stigma & Public Perception: Implications for Prevention, Awareness and Recovery” from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. This session will take a look at how public awareness campaigns and prevention efforts attempt to change the beliefs and attitudes of the public, yet very little is known about what those beliefs actually are. The presentation will show how large segments of the public misunderstand the nature of problem gambling and stigmatize those affected by it. “Monetization of State Lotteries and its Potential Implications for Problem Gambling” from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. will explore the economics of lottery gambling and addiction

Recovery Day – Open to the Public

Members of the public, especially those interested in recovery issues, are invited to attend special sessions on Saturday, June 27th for a nominal fee, which includes lunch.

Highlights of Saturday’s presentations for recovering gamblers and their families include an introduction to Gamblers Anonymous. Benoit Denizet-Lewis, author of “America Anonymous: Eight Addicts in Search” will talk about his personal experiences with addiction, and his book that chronicles the lives of eight men and women from around the country-including a drug and gambling addiction counselor-struggling to recover from addictions.

Information to help problem gamblers and their families is available at the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling’s website, www.indianaproblemgambling.org or telephone 1-866-699-4274.

To reach the Indiana Problem Gambling Help Line call 1-800-994-8448.