24/7 Helpline 1.800.522.4700
Southwest Kansas Problem Gambling Taskforce
  • Home
  • I Need Help
    • Talk to Someone
    • Do You Have a Gambling Problem?
    • Gambling Self Help Tools
    • Voluntary Self Exclusion
  • Help for Families of Gamblers
    • Recognize the Problem
    • Get Support for Yourself
    • Learn How to Help
  • Problem Gambling Professionals
    • Resources
    • Training
    • Certification
  • Task Force
    • Meet the Team
    • Latest News
    • Calendar of Events
    • Resource Library
  • Helpline 800.522.4700

March Madness and Problem Gambling Awareness Month

3/16/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
March Madness reaches its annual crescendo this month. An estimated $10 billion in bets will be placed on the NCAA basketball championship games. Calls to the Kansas Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-522-4700) will spike an average of 30%, too. How timely that March is also Problem Gambling Awareness Month.

The Southwest Kansas Problem Gambling Task Force with the National Council on Problem Gambling want to help problem gamblers. The Problem Gambling Awareness Month campaign theme “Awareness + Action” is about taking specific actions. It's about having conversations about problem gambling issues and directing people to the help they may need.

Approximately 2 million U.S. adults (1% of the population) are estimated to meet the criteria for a gambling disorder. Another 4-6 million (2-3%) are considered to meet criteria for problem gambling. And yet for many residents of the US, gambling remains a hidden addiction.


The Problem Gambling Awareness Month Message
Problem Gambling Awareness Month (#PGAM2021) is designed to raise awareness: there are prevention, treatment and recovery services available for those adversely affected by gambling. The grassroots campaign, #AwarenessPlusAction, brings together a wide range of stakeholders in southwest Kansas: 
  • Boot Hill Casino and Resort
  • Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging
  • Catholic Charities
  • The City of Dodge City
  • Hope and Healing Counseling
  • Southwind Broadcasting
  • Ford County Extension Office
  • DCCCA 
  • Compass Behavioral Health
These entities are working collaboratively to let people know that hope and help exist in southwest Kansas.

“Across Kansas, groups like ours are taking all kinds of specific actions," said Amy Falcon who coordinates the task force. "We are hosting conferences, screening and training days, city proclamations, casino giveaways and other awareness initiatives. We want to reach people who can make a difference in ensuring that problem gambling services are widely available and accessible. Our goal is always to bring awareness to our communities that there is no-cost treatment available to anyone who needs it." 

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, your best bet is to get help. For confidential help, call or text the Kansas Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit 
ncpgambling.org/chat. 

​For more information about problem gambling and how to increase awareness and action on problem gambling, go to 
www.swks-problemgambling.org/.

About the Southwest Kansas Problem Gambling Task Force
The Southwest Kansas Problem Gambling Task Force was founded in 2008 and is neither for nor against gambling. The mission of the Task Force is to help those affected by problem gambling and to reduce the harmful effects of problem gambling. Members work to raise public awareness, provide prevention and education programs, and ensure that resources are available to problem gamblers, families and communities. 

About the National Council on Problem Gambling
NCPG is the national advocate for people and families affected by problem gambling. NCPG is neutral on legalized gambling and works with all stakeholders to promote responsible gambling. For information on NCPG’s 35th National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling, visit www.ncpgambling.org/conference. 
0 Comments

March 2021 Task Force Meeting Notes

3/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Members present: Amy Falcon, Dawn Trent, Juan Baez, Debbie Snapp, Christa Roy, Joy Schwartz, Cindy Jacobs, Larissa Craig and Sharon Erickson. 
 
Members present by phone: Meeting conducted through Google Meet. 
 
Call to order and approve agenda: Amy Falcon. 
 
Review and Approval of Minutes: The minutes were approved.    
 
Fiscal agent Financial Report: The financial report was not available for the meeting.  
 
Agenda Item 1: Public Awareness: Amy led a discussion regarding Problem Gambling Awareness month. There are radio ads, social media posts, KWCH television and digital ads as well as hand sanitizers being given away at the casino.      
 
Agenda Item 2: Membership: There are no new members at this time. Amy had recruitment packets available for task force members to take with them. 
 
Agenda Item 3: Education: Nothing to report.    
 
Agenda Item 4: Data Collection: Nothing to report.  
 
Agenda Item 5: KDADS update: Juan reported the following from KDADS:
  • The Midwest Conference on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse has gone to a virtual format and will be on June 16th and 17th. In the past, the task forces were capped at being able to send 3 people. This year, we are opening it up for more attend. Whatever is not used for the conference from amount budgeted can be shifted to another line item.
  • The amount of people who can attend the National Conference on Problem Gambling has usually been capped at 2. The task forces will be able to send up to 3.
  • The task forces are encouraged to keep up on their CCB entries, quarterly reports, and fiscal reporting. Email reminders will be sent as needed.
  • The Kansas Prevention Collaborative website has been updated. The link to order problem gambling materials are on the home page. Anyone who needs materials is encouraged to do so through the website: https://kansaspreventioncollaborative.org/
  • On Friday, May 14th from 9am-12pm, the Kansas Coalition on Problem Gambling will bring in national expert Julie Hynes to discuss youth gambling and gaming. The training will be free of charge.
  • The recordings of the trainings on the financial aspects of problem gambling by Dr. Esther Maddux are available now:
    • 2/11: https://youtu.be/6NyaEDZQcPI
    • 2/12: https://youtu.be/c_DC6JgcGjk
  • The task forces are encouraged to report of any Problem Gambling Awareness Month activities so as to gain recognition at https://www.ncpgambling.org/pgam-events/ 
  • Sports betting legislation: HB 2199 was introduced February 3rd but has had no movement since the February 18th hearings. SB 84 was amended on March 3rd and passed in the full Senate.  HB 2199 allows sports wagering at certain Lottery retailers also.  There was an addition of a provision for 2% of gaming facility revenue to be paid to the Problem Gambling and other Addictions Fund, specifically earmarked to use only for the awarding of grants to provide direct treatment, research funding, prevention and recovery for the residents of Kansas.  Monies in PGAF shall also be used to fund a helpline with text and chat capabilities.  This language doesn’t exist in HB 2199.   The $80K annual contribution from the Lottery was increased to $100K.  Both bills create a white-collar crime fund with an annual deposit of $750K administered by the governor.  One must be physically in Kansas to place a wager.  HB 2199 also allows iLottery while SB 84 does not.  Both bills have a self-exclusion clause.  
  • The Governor’s Behavioral Health Services Planning Council approved the charter for a problem gambling sub-committee.  If you would like to participate or know of anyone who would, please contact Carol at [email protected]
 
Old Business: Amy led a discussion regarding advertising on the sports radio station. Christa Roy provided information regarding the cost. She was able to negotiate free ads as well. It was decided to move forward with advertising on this radio station.    
 
New Business: A discussion was held regarding the Midwest Conference as well as the National Conference. The early bird rate is 225.00 until May 25, 2021 for the Midwest Conference. After that the cost is 250.00. The conference will be held virtually on June 16th and 17th of 2021. More information will be coming regarding registration for the National Conference. 
 
Christa Roy led a discussion regarding the Spring Fling event to be held on April 17th and 18th at the Village Square Mall. The task force agreed to pay 100.00 for a booth at this event. Christa will set up and man the booth. Amy Falcon will provide the hand outs and giveaways for the booth. 
 
Next Meeting Reminder: April 8, 2021
 
Time of Adjournment: 2:30 p.m. 
0 Comments

    SW Kansas
    Problem Gambling
    Taskforce

    The SW Kansas Problem Gambling Task Force raises awareness and provides education to individuals, families and communities to reduce the harmful effects of problem gambling.

    Archives

    November 2023
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    September 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    March 2016
    February 2015
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010

    Categories

    All
    Problem Gambling Awareness Month
    Task Force Meetings

    RSS Feed

Problem Gamblers

Self-Assessment
Access Self-Help Tools
Voluntary Self-Exclusion

Friends & Family

Indicators
Get Support

How to Help

Professionals

Resources
Training
Certification

The Task Force

Meet the Team
Latest News
Resource Library
Contact Us
Southwest Kansas Problem Gambling Task Force • 906 Central, Dodge City KS 67801 • Tel: (620) 227-1588 • [email protected]
Copyright © 2016 Southwest Kansas Problem Gambling Task Force. All Rights Reserved.