Via Press Release
LINCOLN, NEBRASKA — As gambling behavior becomes more normalized and easily accessible in Nebraska and beyond, more Nebraskans are engaging in a variety of gambling activities.
This normalization of gambling behavior has produced the greatest negative influence on youth, teens, and young adults. Statistics show that children exposed to gambling behavior prior to age 12 are four times more likely to struggle with problem gambling as adults. (National Council on Problem Gambling)
With this in mind, the Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling has focused their programming to reach youth, teens, and young adults this upcoming school year by partnering with high schools and colleges throughout the state through the Education Has the Best Odds Campaign.
“Problematic gambling behavior affects all demographics at a significant rate. However, the influence of gambling on youth, teens, and young adults is undeniable.”, states NeCPG Executive Director Mike Sciandra. “It is imperative that NeCPG focuses on reaching Nebraska students with resources that reduce gambling-related harm amongst themselves and their peers. Our hope is that these same young Nebraskans can also offer support to family members and loved ones who might struggle with their
gambling behavior.”
Currently, NeCPG has partnerships with nearly twenty college campuses, including the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Creighton University, and many other two and four-year institutions. NeCPG also partners with Nebraska secondary school districts, both public and private, along with youth-based organizations, to offer insight and resources to reduce gambling-related harm.
Some of the activities associated with this campaign include:
- Classroom presentations, focusing on the lived experience of a problem gambler in recovery, signs of problem gambling amongst peers and loved ones, and treatment and recovery resources available for all Nebraskans struggling with gambling behavior.
- Problem gambling information and screening table sets during the school day and/or special events
- Production of campus messaging highlighting problem gambling prevention
- Teacher and staff training
- Resident Assistant training
- Recovery group presentations
- Support, training, and referral services to campus counseling services and social workers
- Support, training, and referral services to athletic departments
- Any other activities deemed to be productive to the student body, as indicated by school administration
All of these services are available absolutely free to all Nebraska schools and youth organizations.
Problem gambling, also known as gambling disorder, is any gambling behavior that can harm a person’s wellbeing, relationships, or financial stability. Gambling disorder is a recognized mental health condition in the DSM-5 Manual in similar fashion to Substance Use Disorder (SUD). While statistics are incomplete due to lack of funding for research and stigma behind admitting a problem, it is estimated that at least 5 to 8 million U.S. adults suffer mild to moderate gambling problems, with at least 2.5 million U.S. adults meet the criterial for severe gambling problems annually. (National Council on Problem Gambling)
If you know a Nebraska high school, college campus, or youth organization that would like to know more about the Education Has the Best Odds Campaign, please contact Mike Sciandra at betfreemike@gmail.com.
For more information about Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling, please visit their website at www.necpg.org.
About NeCPG:
Founded in 1992 as the Nebraska Council on Compulsive Gambling, the Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling (NeCPG) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and the sole Nebraska affiliate of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). The mission of NeCPG is to increase public awareness of problem gambling, to encourage availability of treatment services for problem gamblers and their families, and to provide resources for education and prevention.
