Norwich, Connecticut – Today, United Community & Family Services (UCFS) launches a compelling advertising campaign to raise awareness about the negative consequences of problem gambling that can occur during the NCAA championships, known as March Madness. The advertisement with the slogan, “when you bet, you could be losing more than a game,” highlights the potential costs of sports betting, with terms like “job loss” and “bills due” handwritten on a bracket commonly used by March Madness fans to place bets.
The thought-provoking image has already brought statewide attention, and was featured on NBC 30 News this past Sunday.
Americans bet an estimated $3 billion — the vast majority of that illegally — on the NCAA Tournament, making it the biggest time of the year for sports gambling. And many problem gamblers take March Madness too far, even extending their problem gambling into other kinds of betting. (source: problemgambling.org)
According to Pam Kinder, UCFS is working to educate residents to recognize the signs of problem gambling and highlight the Bettor Choice program, as a resource for those who need help.
Fred Fetta, Coordinator of The Bettor Choice Gambling Treatment Program at UCFS, has heard countless-real life stories about heartaches, job loss, or foreclosed homes due to problem gambling.
“Many start gambling for fun, and then become dependent. I had one client who spent 16 hours a day playing scratch tickets. Another went from financial independency to over $100,000 in debt within a couple years,” says Fetta.
The Bettor Choice Gambling Treatment Program provides outpatient behavioral health services to problem or compulsive gamblers and their family members. Individual therapy, group therapy, couples and family therapy, peer financial counseling and medication management are all available for treating gambling and other co-occurring disorders such as depression and anxiety.
For more information on The Bettor Choice Gambling Treatment Program, please call 860-823-3094.
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