[IMAGE] The Hidden Addiction is Watching Tonight – Will It Be on Your Couch?

The Hidden Addiction is Watching Tonight – Will It Be on Your Couch?

Wow! If your bracket isn’t broken by now, we would be amazed. With upsets right out of the gate and continuing throughout, March Madness® 2019 has given us whiplash with upsets and buzzer-beaters. There have even been surprises off the court, like when Steph Curry gave his signature kicks to Texas Tech and Auburn players…read more

[IMAGE] Shocking Statistics Show Why We Need Money Smart Week®

Shocking Statistics Show Why We Need Money Smart Week®

Right now, we’re in the middle of Money Smart Week® 2019. This national campaign is held each year to educate folks young and old about better management of personal finances. It’s a noble cause, given that many Americans are not in good shape financially: 44% of Americans don’t have the funds to cover a $400…read more

[IMAGE] Don’t Make This Common March Madness® Bracket Mistake

Don’t Make This Common March Madness® Bracket Mistake

Did you watch the 2019 March Madness® Selection Show last night? Judging by the vibrant emotions on display and unrelenting energy, you would almost think it was the championship game itself. “Selection Sunday” is an annual TV tradition that builds excitement for the coming showdown between the top men’s college basketball teams in the country….read more

It’s Problem Gambling Awareness Month: Here’s How You Can Become Involved

The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) invites you to join with our partners across the Sunshine State in promoting March 2019 as Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) within your community and among the population you serve. Your assistance will help to raise awareness about problem gambling and available resources through the FCCG’s 24-Hour Confidential and Multilingual…read more

Backetball hoop and ball

Don’t Go Mad This March

Have you ever wondered why Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) takes place in March? Originally a week-long event, PGAM was established by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) to raise awareness about gambling addiction during the NCAA March Madness tournament. The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) is one of more than 30 State…read more

[IMAGE] A Breakup Letter to Gambling Addiction

A Breakup Letter to Gambling Addiction

To My Gambling Problem, This isn’t easy for me, but it’s time for me to be honest: It’s over. For years, I had been fooling myself by thinking things between us would change. With you, it was always tomorrow, next week, next month, next year – but you could never let me just be me….read more

[IMAGE] Super Bowl LIII Expected to Set Betting Record

This Year’s Big Game Expected to Set Betting Record

After some of the closest NFL Conference Championship games to date – with both going into overtime – the stage is set for the big game: the New England Patriots will take on the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday in Atlanta. The biggest football game of the year draws hundreds of millions of viewers and…read more

[IMAGE] Tax Season is Upon Us: Can Gambling Losses Be Deducted?

Tax Season is Upon Us: Can Gambling Losses Be Deducted?

It’s that time of year again: tax filing season. While gathering your receipts, W-2s, and 1099s, you may wonder what income and expenses you have to report, what you can deduct, and what may be different this year. You are not alone. The biggest tax reform legislation in more than 30 years became effective on…read more

[IMAGE] Think Twice Before Placing Bets on the Playoff Picture

Think Twice Before Placing Bets on the Playoff Picture

It’s Week 16 of the NFL 2018 Regular Season, and we’re coming down to the wire. The last two weeks of games were filled with upsets that shook the playoff picture, including the one that still has South Florida abuzz – the Miracle in Miami. Favored by 9 points, the New England Patriots kicked a…read more

[IMAGE] Responsible Gambling During the Holidays: Why Lottery Tickets Make Dangerous Gifts for Minors

Responsible Gambling During the Holidays: Why Lottery Tickets Make Dangerous Gifts for Minors

The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) joins the National Council on Problem Gambling and the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University in raising awareness regarding the risks of underage lottery play during the holiday season. Today, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling is raising awareness about responsible gambling…read more

5 Myths About Addiction

5 Myths About Addiction August 16, 2015   1. Overcoming addiction is simply a matter of willpower. Sure, we wish it were that easy. Just stop gambling. Easier said than done. With drugs, prolonged exposure alters the brain in way that results in powerful cravings and compulsions. A gambling addiction has similar parallels. These brain…read more

Fantasy Sports and Online Gambling

Fantasy Sports and Online Gambling July 15, 2015 I spent the July 4th holiday like many people… with friends, grilling out by the pool. While catching up with my college roommate, he was quick to inform me about how much money he spent gambling last month… The amount of money lost wasn’t the shocking part……read more

7 non-related but ever-important questions to ask yourself

7 non-related but ever-important questions to ask yourself July 2, 2015   The FCCG recently visited the University of Central Florida’s Counselor Education program and presented our Awareness Now program to their counselors in training. Being a graduate of the program, it was comforting to walk back into the classroom. There is something therapeutic about…read more

A Culture of Silence

A Culture of Silence June 16, 2015 Recently, I was fortunate enough to serve as an exhibitor at the Asian Cultural Event in Orlando, Florida. The FCCG purchased a table at the event in order to expose the Asian community to the various problem gambling resources available to Floridians. I’ve tabled at events like this…read more

Planes and Bad Behavior

Because of airplanes, it’s possible to eat breakfast in Orlando but have lunch in New York City. In theory, modern air travel is a marvelous luxury. In reality, there is nothing fun about the actual flying. Waiting in long lines at airport security coupled with the limited space coach seating provides makes the actual process…read more

Problem Gambling… a Family Addiction

Recently, the FCCG was afforded the opportunity to speak to community members of the Port Orange Library. The presentation consisted of a standard overview of problem gambling. The audience was engaged, asked questions, and seemed to display a thirst to learn more about a very important topic. The Q & A session that succeeded the…read more

A Whole New World

Thank you for stopping in and reading the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling’s 1st ever blog post! We are beyond excited to enter the world of blogging. Over time, we hope to expose more people to information surrounding the issue of problem gambling. If you don’t know what the FCCG is or does, let me…read more