[IMAGE] If There is Life, There is Hope

If There is Life, There is Hope

According to the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling’s 2018-2019 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine report, 23% of problem gamblers and loved ones reported having suicidal ideations. That’s more than one out of every five help callers. September has been recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month, and gambling addiction is a risk factor. Gambling addiction does not discriminate and…read more

[IMAGE] Don’t Fumble the Football Season on Sports Betting

Don’t Fumble the Football Season on Sports Betting

If you are a football fan, you have been waiting for the National Football League season to start since the big game in February. Maybe you’ve even followed all of the training reports and draft news along the way! Many already have ideas of what team will be the top dog. Will New England return…read more

[IMAGE] What is Recovery Path?

What is Recovery Path?

888-ADMIT-IT Problem Gambling HelpLine Thousands of people in Florida currently experience the negative effects of a gambling disorder. The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) operates a 24-Hour Confidential & Multilingual HelpLine, 1-888-ADMIT-IT, and offers a number of problem gambling specific programs, services, and referral resources to assist individuals with their specific needs based upon…read more

[IMAGE] Camping World Kickoff: You Can Pick a Side without Placing a Bet

Camping World Kickoff: You Can Pick a Side without Placing a Bet

Tomorrow’s Camping World Kickoff in Orlando will start of the college football season with one of the nation’s most heated rivalry games: the Florida Gators vs. the Miami Hurricanes. Thousands of fans from around Florida and beyond will gather to cheer their alma mater, and the stands will be painted orange, blue, and green. But…read more

[IMAGE] Family Fun Month Goes Further in Florida

Family Fun Month Goes Further in Florida

When it comes to family fun, Florida is hard to beat. Some of the world’s best beaches, theme parks, and campgrounds abound with accommodating weather all year. So, for Family Fun Month, celebrated each year during August, you’ll have no shortage of options that are safe for everyone, from grandma and grandpa down to the…read more

[IMAGE] National Parents’ Day Celebrates the Heroes of Problem Gambling Prevention

National Parents’ Day Celebrates the Heroes of Problem Gambling Prevention

Since Congress passed “The Parents’ Day Resolution” in 1994, Americans have been recognizing the role of outstanding parents in ensuring the sound future of our society on the fourth Sunday in July.[1] This year, National Parents’ Day falls on July 28th. We want to take this opportunity to celebrate – and inspire – mothers and…read more

Don’t Ruin Your 4th with Illegal Bets on the 400

What do barbecue, the beach, and fireworks have in common? They’re all part of the way Floridians celebrate Independence Day! Not to mention, all three of these come with their own set of safety warnings. Daytona Beach also has a tradition for the holiday weekend that started in the summer of 1959. Originally dubbed the…read more

[IMAGE] Ice Hockey Didn’t Always Have Nets

Ice Hockey Didn’t Always Have Nets

Did you know that goal nets haven’t always been a part of ice hockey? The sport has a long history, dating back to at least March 3, 1875, when the first recorded game took place at the Victoria Skating Rink in Montreal, Canada.[1] At first, the goal zone was marked only by two poles or…read more

Men are More Likely to Suffer from the Hidden Addiction

According to 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine data for 2017-2018, of the more than 1,700 callers who identified the gambler’s gender, 66% indicated male, and for those who specified the age and gender (nearly 1,200), 94% were young men between the ages of 18-20.[1] That’s cause for alarm! Did you know that June is Men’s Health Month, and…read more

[IMAGE] Dexter Shows Us the Damage Gambling Addiction Can Do

Dexter Shows Us the Damage Gambling Addiction Can Do

TV series and movies often glorify gambling, showing the hero or heroine as the smooth roller. Think Casino Royale from the James Bond series or Ocean’s Eleven. But a past episode of Showtime’s Dexter followed a slightly different path. If you’re not familiar, the Dexter series is a crime drama mystery that takes place in…read more

Dreaming of a 1.3 Billion Dollars Jackpot Makes Recovery Difficult…

Dreaming of a 1.3 Billion Dollars Jackpot Makes Recovery Difficult… January 11, 2015 The Powerball has made real headlines of late. As the record setting jackpot eclipses 1.3 billion dollars, Americans everywhere dream about what they would do with a lifetime of money. But before you go ahead and blow your next paycheck trying to…read more

A New Year, a New You

A New Year, a New You December 31, 2015 As 2015 comes to a close, it is the perfect time to sit and reflect. What was your resolution last year? Did you keep it? If not, what road blocks got in the way? 2015 was an action packed year. It was a year that saw the rise of…read more

The Holidays Were Supposed to be Fun….

The Holidays Were Supposed to be Fun…. December 15, 2015 The holiday season is synonymous with cheer, joy, and family. Every year, millions of people come together in celebration. Whatever your creed is, the holiday season is usually a time for joy. However, there is an unspoken truth that clouds the holiday season. The holidays…read more

Responsible Gift Giving

Responsible Gift Giving December 2, 2015 Santa Says Give Responsibly. The holiday season is upon us. If you have survived Black Friday but aren’t done shopping, we have an important message for you. Give responsibly this holiday season! Everyone loves giving and receiving gifts but there are some parameters to consider when gifting. Make sure your…read more

You are an addict… shhhh…

You are an addict… shhhh… November 15, 2015 If you struggle or know someone who struggles with addiction you understand the culture of silence that surrounds the topic. There is a shame and guilt that comes along with being an addict. While strides have been made in openly talking about addiction, one cannot deny that…read more

Addiction Through the Eyes of a Poker Dealer

Addiction Through the Eyes of a Poker Dealer October 31, 2015 The universe has a funny way of working out. Recently, I was fortunate enough to play in a charity golf event that benefited abused children. Aside from playing a quality golf course for a great cause, I was paired up with two strangers. One…read more

Domestic Violence – A Well Defined Problem with Foggy Solutions

Domestic Violence A Well Defined Problem with Foggy Solutions October 15, 2015 Every nine seconds a woman is beaten in America. That’s right, in America. By the time you are done reading this blog post, about 7-9 women will have been physically assaulted in the United States. We live in one of the most advanced, industrialized…read more

The NCAA Cracks Down on Fantasy Sports

The NCAA Cracks Down on Fantasy Sports September 30, 2015 40 million Americans play fantasy sports. That number includes scores of college athletes. Call it the Pete Rose affect, but there is a general distaste for the of athletes partaking in gambling. The NCAA recently took a stand against fantasy sports, barring their players from…read more

What to expect when you first call

What to expect when you first call September 15, 2015 For gamblers, the decision to enter into recovery is often not an easy one.  We live in a culture that reinforces the concept of, “pull yourself up by the bootstraps.” Within the addiction realm, there is a quiet voice that addicts have to contend with,…read more