The Goals of Women’s History Month and Problem Gambling Awareness Month Go Beyond March

Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) and Women’s History Month both happen in March, but that doesn’t mean the importance of these recognitions end there. It is always in our best interests to honor the contributions of women to history, culture, and society and likewise, to identify and raise awareness about the impacts that gambling addiction has upon individuals and families. In educating those affected about the services and supports available for problem gambling, such as treatment referrals, self-exclusion resources, financial and legal supports, literature, and others, we have to first understand how problem gambling affects people in different ways. For instance, prior-year 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine data shows that female problem gamblers skewed older than males, reflecting how the varied stages of life impact upon gambling behavior differently between genders [1]. 

Another consideration revealed by the 2019-2020 Annual HelpLine Report is that problem gamblers are more likely to be male (64% male compared with 36% female), which means that women often feel the effects of a loved one’s gambling problem, to include serious financial, legal, and domestic issues.  Women also have unique challenges when it comes to resource referrals, including that women gamblers may not feel comfortable attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings, which are often heavily male, and that women gamblers have also reported difficulties in managing time constraints and arranging need for childcare to attend traditional therapy [1].

FCCG Executive Director Jennifer Kruse Interviewed on
All In: The Addicted Gambler’s Podcast

Jennifer Kruse, FCCG’s Executive Director, was interviewed this month by Brian Hatch on “All In: The Addicted Gambler’s Podcast.” Jennifer started as a bookkeeper at the FCCG and developed a passion for helping those suffering from the impacts of gambling disorder that led her all the way to the role of Executive Director. “We really do help,” said Jennifer when explaining the 24/7, Confidential, and Multilingual 888-ADMIT-IT Problem Gambling HelpLine, “and having somebody tell me, ‘wow, you just saved my life,’ gives me chills just talking about it.” When Brian asked whether PGAM was just for the month of March, Jennifer responded: ”We always promote Problem Gambling Awareness Month, for the month of March and beyond. The outreach and awareness is necessary all the time.” [2]. You can listen to the full podcast episode with the player below, or on Spotify.

The bottom line is that gambling disorder does not discriminate and can affect anyone. If you or a loved one are affected by problem gambling, know that help and hope are available, and treatment is possible. The FCCG’s Confidential and Multilingual Problem Gambling HelpLine can be reached 24/7 by phone at 888-ADMIT-IT, by text at 321-978-0555, by live chat at gamblinghelp.org, by emailing fccg@gamblinghelp.org, and by reaching out to the FCCG on social media.

Follow and share PGAM on social media using hashtags #PGAM and #PGAM2021! Learn more at problemgamblingawarenessmonth.org.

 

 

[1] Compiled from FY 2019-2020 Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine data (2021). The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling.

[2] All in: The addicted gambler’s podcast. (n.d.). Retrieved March 29, 2021, from https://addictedgamblerpodcast.libsyn.com/episode-203