Full Transcript for Recognizing Problem Gambling and Finding Help in Pennsylvania

real-time, live individual who will quickly be able to offer resources. 00:05:00.560 --> 00:05:06.000 The the important thing to recognize, though, is that it's all related to um area code. 00:05:06.160 --> 00:05:11.759 So is some if someone's calling from a Pennsylvania area code, they will connect directly with the Pennsylvania council. 00:05:11.920 --> 00:05:17.360 If you're calling outside of Pennsylvania or from another area code, then it would go to that corresponding council. 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:23.360 Um, but again, if it is a Pennsylvania issue, we encourage folks not to get discouraged. 00:05:23.519 --> 00:05:25.839 Please contact us directly through our website. 00:05:25.920 --> 00:05:29.279 We'll be able to assist directly ourselves, or we'll be able to connect you with the right. 00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:32.800 You know, that's an interesting point on that for people to understand. 00:05:32.879 --> 00:05:40.160 Um, and we get calls all the time for people that have a question or an issue dealing with let's say i gaming, uh sports wagering. 00:05:40.319 --> 00:05:43.439 They're in Pennsylvania, they're playing in Pennsylvania sites. 00:05:43.680 --> 00:05:51.199 But because people take their cell phone numbers and move around a lot, they may have a number that is uh dedicated to an area code in California. 00:05:51.680 --> 00:05:55.600 Um and they call that, you're saying that they would get connected to someone out there. 00:05:55.920 --> 00:05:56.160 Yes. 00:05:56.319 --> 00:05:56.639 Yeah. 00:05:56.720 --> 00:06:04.240 And and fortunately, we're all, you know, for the most part, we all work very closely together, um, state councils and affiliates. 00:06:04.399 --> 00:06:13.439 And if something like that were to happen, uh nine times out of ten, we're gonna get a call from our neighboring council saying we've received a call from someone. 00:06:13.600 --> 00:06:14.480 Can you get back to them? 00:06:14.639 --> 00:06:15.439 Can you follow up? 00:06:15.600 --> 00:06:17.360 And and that's typically how that works. 00:06:17.519 --> 00:06:23.279 But again, it can be challenging if uh someone does place that call and receives, you know. 00:06:23.360 --> 00:06:24.959 I mean, that's that's a big step, right? 00:06:25.120 --> 00:06:27.439 Like we've talked about that many times in the past. 00:06:27.519 --> 00:06:28.720 You mentioned it earlier. 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:29.920 Uh, there's a lot of fear. 00:06:30.079 --> 00:06:32.480 That's a very brave step that someone's taking. 00:06:32.639 --> 00:06:42.639 And and if and when they do take that very first step, if they're met with any type of friction, that that can really, that can really throw, throw them off track. 00:06:42.800 --> 00:06:52.079 And and that's what we want to to try to do is minimize any of those those situations that arise because we want it to be as fluid a a situation as possible. 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:55.279 And we want them to get the help that they need as quickly

and easily as possible. 00:06:55.600 --> 00:06:55.680 Right. 00:06:55.920 --> 00:07:00.160 Regulations call that the that one eightogam number is going to appear in the casinos. 00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:02.959 Yes, uh, it it all over the place within the casino. 00:07:03.040 --> 00:07:04.639 It'll appear on an ATM machine. 00:07:04.720 --> 00:07:07.600 It'll be there in front of people so that they're aware of it. 00:07:07.680 --> 00:07:12.000 And at some point, hopefully we'll push the button if they have a problem to get that help. 00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:17.680 It's also available, as we mentioned, on all these ads for on television for all these other things. 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:27.600 Give me an idea though, from and again, being being with the council for 15 years, what's what are you seeing from the person who calls the 800 gambler number now? 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:31.920 And what are the what are the type of people that are calling it in in you know in 2026? 00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:32.560 Sure. 00:07:32.879 --> 00:07:36.560 Yeah, I mean, as you can imagine, things shift over the course of time. 00:07:36.800 --> 00:07:44.639 Um and you know, a lot of it, I mean, I think there's there's that simple equation, we have more gambling available than ever before in Pennsylvania. 00:07:44.800 --> 00:07:48.399 We have more people participating in gambling than ever before. 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:58.560 Um, when you have a situation where you have increased availability and increased participation, I don't care what it is, you're gonna see an increase in some type of number of problems, right? 00:07:58.800 --> 00:08:06.480 And that could be there's more McDonald's that are open on the the corner that, you know, like the way we have more people that are eating Big Macs, right? 00:08:06.639 --> 00:08:08.160 Like it's just anything like that. 00:08:08.480 --> 00:08:19.759 But the, you know, the situation is, you know, if we have that increase, which we've seen, um, especially since the expansion to online forms and sports betting and different types of of new uh types of gambling. 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:30.079 It you know, it's important to look inside that and see what is it that we are seeing, because that can really direct treatment approaches, it can direct prevention efforts and how do we want to look at things. 00:08:30.160 --> 00:08:36.879 And we have seen more folks who are reaching out who are falling into a younger demographic um overall. 00:08:37.200 --> 00:08:43.840 And uh with that, we do see a lot of calls coming in that are much more related to online forms of gambling, sports betting being one of them. 00:08:44.159 --> 00:08:50.720 And and the individual that that be that's back up a second prior to them taking this step. 00:08:50.879 --> 00:09:11.919 Um, and we do have uh the your website address up uh for those who are watching or listening, that there are some tools there too to give them some idea on answering some questions to see

whether or not maybe they have gone over the line on on what's uh responsible gambling before they call. 00:09:12.240 --> 00:09:14.159 Yeah, and and I think that's important. 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:24.799 Um, you know, we ourselves, we we're constantly looking at language and and how how do we best connect folks with resources? 00:09:25.120 --> 00:09:32.799 How do we help people understand that, you know, this is something that is delicate and it's different, you know, it's sometimes difficult to talk about. 00:09:33.039 --> 00:09:35.919 Gambling in and of itself is an activity, right? 00:09:36.080 --> 00:09:37.440 Like it's it's a game. 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:40.399 It's not something that's necessarily good or bad. 00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:42.000 It's how people relate to it. 00:09:42.159 --> 00:09:52.240 You know, if if gambling truly was bad, 100% of people that ever placed a bet would be struggling, would have devastating outcomes, it would be, you know, it would be universal. 00:09:52.559 --> 00:09:53.919 But that's far from the case. 00:09:54.080 --> 00:09:56.320 Most people don't fall under that umbrella. 00:09:56.639 --> 00:10:08.720 So looking at that, you really need to kind of shift that that lens and from a a a problem good thing, bad thing discussion to more of a a healthy activity, right? 00:10:08.799 --> 00:10:12.240 So is my relationship with gambling a healthy one? 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:19.840 Or is it maybe starting to go down a path where what was once healthy is now shifting a little bit? 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:21.600 And that's kind of what we're looking at. 00:10:21.759 --> 00:10:28.240 So on our website, we have a very short three-question uh survey that sort of assesses that. 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:40.080 And, you know, if someone is answering the questions honestly and finds that, okay, maybe I don't have the healthiest relationship, that doesn't mean that you have this fully developed gambling problem or it's time to hit the panic button. 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:47.679 But it's a great opportunity to maybe explore some of the resources that exist so that maybe you could get back to a place where things are better. 00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:51.200 Or, or maybe it's a situation where I probably shouldn't do this anymore. 00:10:51.279 --> 00:10:56.000 And maybe I should look for some help to maybe address why I am doing it the way that I am. 00:10:56.240 --> 00:11:05.759 And even if someone answers those questions and realizes that, well, okay, good, I am in a healthy place, there's resources for those folks too to stay there. 00:11:05.919 --> 00:11:15.360 And and that's really the goal is keeping things because let's face it, once somebody places their first bet, they are now entering a world where they're at risk of developing a gambling problem. 00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:20.399 And that's just by simple participation and because of the risks that are associated with gambling activities. 00:11:20.639 --> 00:11:21.120 Yeah, and you're right. 00:11:21.360 --> 00:11:32.240 There are those other, you know, if you go to the the gaming control board's uh site for problem gambling, which is responsibleplay.pa.gov, you know, we have some things on there, especially for the self-exclusion list. 00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:36.159 That's a tool that's available for individuals that they may want to undertake. 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:42.960 There's also limits that can be placed on these websites that you're gambling upon that can can help you along the way. 00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:49.039 But let's look now at that there used to be a show, maybe it's still on, called Fear Factor. 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:52.720 So um, let's talk about this 1-800 gambler number. 00:11:52.799 --> 00:11:56.000 And I'm I'm ready to dial that number. 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:57.519 But I have a little fear. 00:11:58.559 --> 00:12:02.879 What what what do you see that that uh keeps people from doing that? 00:12:03.039 --> 00:12:09.440 And then once the if they do get over that fear, what can they expect then on the other line when they do call? 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:11.279 Yeah, that's that's a great point. 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:17.679 And that's been a big um a big concern for a long time is the fear that folks have, right? 00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:19.840 The stigma that's associated with gambling. 00:12:20.080 --> 00:12:32.639 Gambling's unlike other, even though diagnostically and clinically, what happens to the brain as people are preparing to and engaged in gambling, it's very similar to what we see with other types of substance-related issues. 00:12:32.879 --> 00:12:34.320 It's not seen the same way. 00:12:34.559 --> 00:12:38.159 It there's, you know, a lot of times it's perceived that it's just the game. 00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:40.879 If you're playing a game and losing money, just stop. 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:43.360 And of course, it's not as simple as that. 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:51.679 That can really that can send ripples through somebody's uh confidence level in terms of addressing what is going on. 00:12:51.759 --> 00:13:01.759 And a lot of times there's other underlying circumstances, there's coexisting situations, maybe um, you know, different types of of mental health disturbances or things that folks are experiencing. 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:07.519 So a whole host of different reasons why someone may be reluctant to simply reach out for help. 00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:15.440 I think the other big one is people a lot of times don't recognize that what they're doing is unhealthy or that it is a potential problem. 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:19.120 So, you know, the problems that people have, that's that's them over there. 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:20.159 That's not me. 00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:30.080 So that's where kind of, you know, planting seeds by just having these simple questions that people can answer, maybe that'll start to change the tone a little bit and it'll help them take those steps. 00:13:30.240

--> 00:13:41.120 Now, if somebody does receive um the number and makes a call, uh they'll be greeted warmly by a helpline specialist who will be able to start kind of just talking about what their needs are. 00:13:41.279 --> 00:13:46.559 The goal is always to keep folks as comfortable as possible, even with the resources that we're providing. 00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:54.559 So if someone calls us and says, I don't want to sit across the table from somebody and hear them talk to me about all of my problems. 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:59.120 But maybe I would go to a meeting and talk to other people with lived experience. 00:13:59.360 --> 00:14:00.799 Great, we can accomplish that. 00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:01.600 And vice versa. 00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:07.360 If somebody says, you know, I'm just looking for, I don't want to talk to, I don't want to go to a meeting, I don't want to talk to somebody, what do you have? 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:10.399 Well, we have tools and resources, things like self-exclusion. 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:18.240 We have online recovery apps and different types of meetings that they can attend virtually where they don't necessarily need to participate in the same way. 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:33.679 So we try to have as many options as possible so that what what what may work for one person may not work for another, but in some cases, you know, that's that's the you know, the that's the the the tool that we needed to have to help those those other folks out there. 00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:36.320 And and they're not left alone. 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:45.360 I think sometimes they might call us 1-800 gambler number and get some information, and then things just go away and their that help doesn't continue there. 00:14:46.080 --> 00:14:48.639 How do you keep in in you know in contact with these people? 00:14:48.720 --> 00:14:58.559 How do you follow through with making sure that you know they they they either have have have gotten the help they need for the problem, uh, you know, or at least are on the path to it? 00:14:58.799 --> 00:15:07.759 Yeah, it's I mean, just like with any addiction, we do see a lot of folks that do take that first brave step and ask for help, and that's exhausting to them. 00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:09.679 And and unfortunately, that's where things stop. 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:15.200 And even if we're able to provide them with resources, you know, this is a delicate time that they're in. 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:23.919 And it, you know, they may have a day where they're really distressed, they call that number and then they realize just the just the enormity of what that next step may look like. 00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:26.320 We do try to have follow-up conversations. 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:27.919 We do invite folks to call back. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:29.919 We do ask if they'd like follow-up calls. 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:32.799 We do try to stay in touch with them and help assist. 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:38.240 Um, but there are a lot of situations where unfortunately that may be the only time that we speak with them. 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:44.080 Um, what we try to do in those situations is obviously give as much information that we can. 00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:46.000 So again, it plants that seed. 00:15:46.159 --> 00:15:48.879 So at least they're aware that help is available. 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:54.399 They're aware that there are these resources that exist, which they may not have been aware of before calling. 00:15:54.559 --> 00:16:04.240 And even if they're not taking that step today, maybe, you know, if they do continue to experience problems, they'll call back again or they'll they'll they'll maybe pursue some of those things that we talked about. 00:16:04.559 --> 00:16:04.799 Yeah. 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:15.519 And these people on the other line, again, non-judgmental people have they have a a background uh that that that is what that that they're able to kind of help these people with. 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:23.360 Yeah, they go through hundreds of hours of training, um, triage management, crisis calls management, uh, crisis call management. 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:25.120 Um, we do have some folks that work. 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:30.720 They are they are certified counselors on uh a staff at the helpline that oversee any type of call for help. 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:38.080 We have connections to different um, you know, suicide prevention and and crisis lines that we can always bring in for additional help. 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:43.600 And we also, fortunately in Pennsylvania, have several counselors that are offering warm handoff services. 00:16:43.840 --> 00:16:53.519 So in some cases, some folks who may call and say, I want to talk to somebody, we have the ability to connect that call immediately with one of these agencies. 00:16:53.679 --> 00:17:10.960 Um, and and you know, from there they can at least they may not get a an immediate uh session with a counselor, but at least at that point they're in the scheduling um area where we can now help them, you know, take that step to maybe set up a meeting for sometime that week or or whenever it works for their schedule. 00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:11.359 Yeah. 00:17:11.680 --> 00:17:23.759 Well, Josh Arcole, uh I again thank you for taking the time with with us and uh letting people know about the council and problem gambling and PA, but also about the 1-800 gambler number. 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:30.079 I know over the years, because of the expansion of gambling, the people that are calling that has increased. 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:41.759 Um I hope it increases even more after they get more awareness from this show and other things so that they don't have the fear of calling up and saying, I I need some help on this. 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:43.599 I need some advice at least. 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:48.000 Where do I go here before this develops into an even more serious problem? 00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:50.000 So I appreciate your time today. 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:50.480 Great. 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:51.039 Thanks, Doug. 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:52.000 Yeah, thanks for having me. 00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:52.480 Appreciate it. 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:53.440 You're very welcome. 00:17:53.599 --> 00:17:58.799 And and again, thanks to Christina Qualik and Richard McGarvey for their help on this podcast. 00:17:58.960 --> 00:18:05.519 We will drop another one on your favorite platform and also on the YouTube channel in the near future. 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:14.880 Um, I also want to make sure that you know that we will continue to look at this issue of problem gambling uh within episodes of this. 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:22.240 If you are out there listening or watching this today, please make it a great rest of your day.