This is a Game Changer!

By Sasha C. Russell, Program Specialists, Communications, The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling

On Thursday, October 24^th, the Council celebrated its 30^th Anniversary at the University Club and Restaurant located on the University of Massachusetts – Amherst campus. The event was a success, with over 80 people present. This was the first of three house parties we’re planning to raise awareness about gambling problems and services available for help in communities across the Commonwealth.

The host committee included:

Arthur Friedman and Tom Lavoie

along with

Baxter Chandler

William A. Dávila

Henry East-Trou

Karen Jacobus

Geoffrey Locke

Jaime Maldonado

Anne Marie Martineau

Haemoon Oh

UMASS Amherst SEIGMA (Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Massachusetts)

Massachusetts Partnership for Responsible Gambling

The Massachusetts State Lottery

Suffolk Downs

MGM Resorts International

Mohegan Sun Massachusetts

Plainridge Racecourse

Executive Director, Marlene Warner, explained, “Although I am confident that we have set a solid foundation, we have so much more to do and we need your help. We need to expand our treatment options from 11 state-funded outpatient facilities with limited geographic diversity, to multimodality options that can meet the needs of people in crisis, as well as people who need the occasional telephone recovery support conversation, and everyone in between. We need to build evidence-based programs in prevention and intervention into our community-based programs for people most in need, such as young adults and older adults—so that we can lend support to them and build a base upon which best practices in the future can be built. And we need to support giving people a leg up—whether that be through the implementation of our Square One program that puts people previously incarcerated for gambling-related crimes back to work in meaningful careers, or through scholarships for people in recovery working to further their education.” 

Warner also noted that the Council has been around for 30 years thanks to the strength of those who have supported the Council in different ways. The list includes people who work at institutions of higher education, detox programs, researchers, those who have struggled with gambling disorders, whether it be personally or in their family, and those who have helped people through those struggles. She said, “Everyone has been and is important on this journey.”

Dr. Friedman’s speech expressing the importance of community support resonated with those in attendance, “With legalized gambling coming to the state, we ALL need to support the Council to ensure that the needs of people with problem and pathological gambling (and their families) are met, and that already vulnerable populations are not further compromised. WE, the people in this room, are part of our community’s safety net. WE, can provide the help and support needed for individuals and families struggling with gambling addiction. WE, can continue to build a continuum of care, advocate for responsible gaming and work collaboratively to expand the resources available to problem gamblers and their families.”

Just like those in recovery, this journey cannot be done alone and without support. The Council relies not only on support from the legislature, but our individual donors who make all the difference in helping us do what we can to meet the needs of the 351 towns across the Commonwealth.

Dr. William Dávila, Program Director, Gandara Center, spoke from his heart as he referenced his own community, “This is personal for us. We’ve seen the damage that disordered gambling does. We’re doing all we can to prepare our clinicians before casinos open. We are lockstep with the Council on getting the word out.”

There are many ways to get involved with the Council, and show your support:

·      donate – every little bit helps!

·      volunteer – help us by donating your time,

·      take action – contact legislators and let them know that services for gambling disorder are important to you,

·      share your story  -- consider participating in our Wisdom Exchange Program,

·      become a member,

·      collaborate with us,

·      partner with us.

You can read more about how to get involved on our website, or by emailing the Council.

To view pictures from the event, click here.