Community Outreach Programs and National Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM)

For more than three decades, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) has provided diverse and widespread services to individuals, families, institutions, addiction, treatment and prevention providers, gambling operators and others who have been negatively impacted by a gambling problem or provide assistance to suffering persons. These services entail in-person, online, and mobile referrals across multiple forms of supports, including counseling with licensed and certified treatment providers, to problem gamblers, family members (in particular, spouses, cohabitants and/or partners), and other concerned persons (e.g., friends, colleagues, others). As well, the FCCG provides extensive training and outreach programs throughout Florida.

The FCCG, in collaboration with gambling operators, widely advertises the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine in gambling facilities throughout the state (e.g., via posters, literature, collateral items, notifications on gambling machines and ATMs, in operator advertisements and facility programs, on their websites, on entryway kiosks, and through conversations with facility personnel, per FCCG training). The FCCG’s 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine service is promoted on lottery tickets, on billboards in key locations, and on multiple search engines, as well as on social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, Reddit, and LinkedIn.

Given the FCCG’s mission, which is to increase public awareness about problem, compulsive, and disordered gambling while advocating for services and supports for individuals in need of assistance, its HelpLine continues to serve as the primary statewide problem gambling resource center. While the FCCG has provided problem gambling awareness, prevention, education, and training services since its inception, the need for ongoing development and implementation of new and diverse supports, made available through the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine, has placed the organization in the forefront as a free service to all residents of Florida while also assisting in national efforts to help problem gamblers and their families. As a single-stop resource center, the FCCG continues to serve as an educational body, assuring necessary research, outreach, public awareness, prevention, education, and training services.

National Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM)

Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) in a national grassroots advocacy campaign that occurs each year in March, and provides the opportunity for heightened problem gambling awareness, both in the State of Florida and across the country. During each annual PGAM campaign, the FCCG leverages the national spotlight on gambling addiction to provide widespread education and awareness about the disorder and resources available for help through the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine.

Visit the PGAM Microsite to learn more about the current campaign and how your organization can become a partner.

How We’re Raising Problem Gambling Awareness

The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling works year-round to raise awareness about the impacts of problem gambling and the help and hope available through the 24/7, Confidential, and Multilingual Problem Gambling HelpLine. To understand where we stand today and the opportunities we have for the future, it’s important to look at how far we’ve come. We are building a timeline that lets you step back through our outreach efforts over the years. Check back regularly for updates, as we add to the history of problem gambling awareness in Florida!

April 1, 2024

Florida gambling helpline is seeing a surge of calls after the launch of a sports betting app

The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling Inc., is a nonprofit organization that runs the helpline. Officials said that since December, when access was expanded to everyone 21 and over in Florida, overall contacts — which are defined as calls, texts, and emails — have increased by 100%.

Richard Pinsky, the council’s government relations representative in Tallahassee, said that as gambling expands online, it is getting easier to access — and harder to control.

“All they have to do is is pick up their phone and place their bet,” Pinsky said. “So the obstacles and and disincentives are no longer in place when you have online accessibility to sports betting.”

Click here to read the full story on WLRN’s website.

April 1, 2024

Problem Gambling Contacts on the Rise in Florida

Florida was among the states that legalized betting through a compact with the Seminole Tribe. Although this compact was signed back in 2021, it was tangled in a prolonged legal battle that halted the sports betting offering for customers in the state. Late last year, the Seminole Tribe was allowed to relaunch legal retail and online sports betting through Hard Rock Bet.

After only several months of legal wagering on sports, there’s already an uptick observed in the number of problem gambling calls, a new report suggests. As announced by WUSF, citing data from the nonprofit organization that operates a helpline providing information and support for people affected by problem gambling, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling Inc., the overall communication via all different channels increased exponentially.

Click here to read the full story on gamblingnews.com.

March 31, 2024

Online sports betting on the rise in Florida, but there are risks

As the March Madness craze is underway, so is online sports betting in Florida.

It’s the first time Floridians can legally bet on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

“I have a lot of friends that bet. A lot of guys in the office,” said one sports fan. “It’s a way to make money, have fun, and add excitement to any sport.”

But, as more people place their bets, the number of potential gambling addicts is on the rise. The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling says calls to the state’s gambling help hotline more than doubled after online sports betting was made legal.

Click here to read the full story on AOL’s website.

March 29, 2024

March Madness fuels Florida’s newest sports betting craze: online gambling

Last year, sports bettors had to travel to Vegas, download offshore apps, or find local bookies in order to cash in on March Madness. Now, with a swipe of the finger, they can bet as much money as they like at all hours of the night and in the comfort of their bedrooms.

But that kind of accessibility also comes at a cost: Calls to Florida’s gambling addiction hotline have surged since the app launched in December, and experts predict that high interest times like March Madness may drive more vulnerable people to addiction.

Sports betting already had surged in interest since online betting launched to all Floridians over the age of 21 last December, drawing new users and longtime gamblers alike.

Click here to read the full story on Sun Sentinel’s website.

March 26, 2024

Calls for Florida’s gambling addiction HelpLine have doubled since launch of online sports betting

Florida’s Problem Gambling HelpLine has seen its call volume explode since legal online sports betting official rolled out this past December.

210,00 Florida adults have a diagnosable gambling disorder according to the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling.

More than 820,000, or just shy of four percent of Florida’s total population, are considered at-risk.

Click here to read the full story on WOKV’s website.

March 22, 2024

Calls to Florida gambling helpline doubled after launch of online sports betting

Jennifer Kruse, executive director of the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, said increased access to online gambling is likely one factor for the spike in calls to the helpline. But she cautioned that it’s too soon to fully evaluate the impact of the Hard Rock app’s launch.

Other factors driving the uptick, Kruse says, include a societal shift towards viewing gambling as more acceptable. She also said that people who need assistance with a gambling addiction are now more easily able to find information about the helpline because of advisories attached to sports betting ads.

“Now, it will be easier for them, if they do develop a problem, to get help,” Kruse said.

Read the full article on the Tampa Bay Times website.

March 6, 2024

Budget conference: Legislature fully funds gambling addiction program for first time

Since the program’s inception in 2005, lawmakers have diverted 37.5% of its funding back into the state’s general fund.

You can bet that more compulsive gamblers in Florida will get the help they need this year, thanks to an unprecedented move during the Legislature’s budgeting process.

For the first time, lawmakers approved infusing the Florida Compulsive and Addictive Gambling Prevention Program with $2 million, the full sum the state collects from eight slot-licensed pari-mutuels yearly.

Read the full story on the Florida Politics website.

March 6, 2024

Florida Legislature Fully Funds Gambling Prevention Program Amid Rising Addiction Calls

For the first time since its inception in 2005, the Florida Compulsive and Addictive Gambling Prevention Program will receive its intended full funding of $2 million, a decision spurred by a significant increase in gambling addiction inquiries. This move comes as the state’s lawmakers recognize the growing need for comprehensive support and resources amidst the booming gambling operations, particularly following the Seminole Hard Rock Casino’s introduction of sports betting.

Read the full story on BNN’s website.

February 28, 2024

Axios Reports on Spike in 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine Calls Following Sports Betting Legalization

Florida’s gambling addiction helpline has seen a surge in calls since Seminole Hard Rock Casino’s sports betting app launched.

Why it matters: The data is one way to gauge the immediate impact sports betting has had on gambling behavior, addiction and available resources for those affected.

By the numbers: The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, which operates the helpline, tells Axios that calls increased over 100% from December to January.

Online gambling exploded 135% between 2019 and 2023, per 888-ADMIT-IT helpline data. The helpline also saw spikes in illegal electronic gambling, like internet sweepstakes.

Read the full story on the Axios website.

February 20, 2024

WFLA News Channel 8 Interviews FCCG About the Surge in 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine Contacts

Since the launch of sports betting, Florida’s gambling helpline is experiencing a dramatic increase in calls from gamblers needing help.

Officials said calls have more than doubled since sports betting became legal in December.

“We’re struggling and there’s no doubt, trying to keep up is an effort,” said Richard Pinsky with the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling.

Read the full story on WFLA’s website.

February 19, 2024

FCCG Speaks with ABC Action News Tampa Bay About Impacts of Gambling Expansion

As gambling accessibility has expanded in the Sunshine State, so too has the number of Floridians suffering from problem gambling. FCCG Executive Director Jennifer Kruse spoke to ABC Action News Tampa Bay about the increases in 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine contacts, particularly among young men. Anyone concerned about problem gambling needs to know that help and hope are always available! View the story here.

The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling is grateful to have a steadfast partner in The Seminole Tribe of Florida, which has generously supported the issue of problem gambling in the State — both with funding and programming — long before there was a Compact or any other requirement to do so.

February 15, 2024

FCCG Speaks with WIOD/NBC 6 About Increases in Florida Problem Gambling Help Seekers

The state’s [888-ADMIT-IT] gambling addiction [HelpLine is] ringing off the hook since sports betting became legal last December. Jennifer Kruse, with the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, says there are only eight pari-mutuels funding resources for problem gamblers. She predicts they will get about 40 thousand calls this fiscal year, which is higher than the 26 thousand they had the previous year. The largest increase comes from young adult men. View the story on the NBC 6 website here.

February 12, 2024

CBS 12 News Interviews FCCG About Massive Increase in HelpLine Calls

According to the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, their calls [to its 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine] more than doubled from December to January with an over 100 percent increase in calls alone.

The organization’s government relations representative, Richard Pinsky says right now, they’re still able to serve everyone who is calling, but it’s become a harder task to keep up with.

“We also get texts, we get chats, other contacts, instant messages, we get various languages. And so it’s not just straight phone calls to the helpline,” said Pinsky. Read the full story on CBS 12 here.

February 11, 2024

FCCG Speaks to WPTV About Rising Help Seekers Following Florida Sports Betting Expansion

The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) predicts it will receive about 40,000 calls to its 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine this current fiscal year, which is higher than the about 26,000 calls it saw the previous year. Kruse said the group is seeing the largest increase from young adult men. Read the full story on WPTV here.

February 9, 2024

FCCG Interviewed by 10 Tampa Bay for Problem Gambling Crime Story

Eric Randazzo is a Program Consultant with the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling. “Gambling addiction is known as the hidden addiction,” said Randazzo.

“Because, unlike substance abuse or alcoholism, there are really no outward, visible symptoms. So it’s not as obvious to people. And oftentimes, even the person’s spouse has no idea.” 

Randazzo said gambling addiction also presents a slippery slope. “Illegal acts come into the picture as the disorder progresses. It is a progressive disorder. It gets worse over time, not better,” said Randazzo. He urges that it’s never too early or too late to seek help. 

Read the full story on 10 Tampa Bay’s website.

December 20, 2023

CBS News Miami Reports on Surge of 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine Contacts

Of 42 states with publicly funded problem gambling services, none had more calls for help than Florida last year, according to the [Florida] Council on Compulsive Gambling. In March, the council’s executive director called out the state over its dollar-per-capita spending to combat the problem.

“The average across the United States is about 40 cents per capita,” she said in March. “Florida’s per capita public fund allocation is six cents.”
Gambling problem? Contact the 24/7, Confidential, and Multilingual 
888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine for Florida.

Read the full story and watch the video on CBS News Miami’s website here.

June 22, 2023

“Take the Plunge Challenge” Winner and Problem Gambling Awareness Month Campaign Theme Announced for 2023

In March 2022, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) again issued its “Take the Plunge Challenge” to gambling industry operators, as part of its statewide Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) initiative.

In its June 2023 CARE TEAM Newsletter for gambling industry employees, the FCCG congratulated winner Melissa Brooks, Risk and Communications Manager for Calder Casino, who “took the plunge” by creatively outlining how storytelling could promote problem gambling and responsible gambling awareness among employees, patrons, and beyond!

Melissa enjoyed playing Mad Libs® when she was young, a popular fill-in-the-blanks word game where one player prompts others for a list of words to substitute for blanks in a story, and reflected on the educational value of this game. She envisioned how the game could help gambling industry employees learn about problem gambling in an engaging way.

The FCCG highlighted Melissa’s contributions to the field with the 2024 PGAM Campaign: “Shine the Light on Problem Gambling: 888-ADMIT-IT Fills in the Blanks!” Her story outlines the influence that both supervisors and employees have on colleagues, as well as the impacts they can have on the lives of the patrons they serve.

June 22, 2023

FCCG Distributes June 2023 CARE TEAM Newsletter to Florida Gambling Industry Employees

On June 22, 2023, the FCCG distributed its fourth edition of the CARE TEAM Newsletter for the 2022-2023 fiscal year titled “You Won’t Believe Everything We Accomplished During PGAM 2023!”. As we welcome the onset of summer, this edition of the CARE Team Newsletter recognizes and celebrates all that has occurred over the past several months and highlights the importance of springing into action by working in partnership with gambling industry operators and their employees, state and local governments, researchers, the media, and others to increase awareness about problem and responsible gambling.

As we welcome the onset of summer, this edition of the CARE Team Newsletter recognizes and celebrates all that has occurred over the past several months and highlights the importance of springing into action by working in partnership with gambling industry operators and their employees, state and local governments, researchers, the media, and others to increase awareness about problem and responsible gambling.

Communities and Gambling Industry Operators Help Spread PGAM Message Statewide

In this CARE Team newsletter, the FCCG wants to express gratitude to our industry partners who collaborated with the FCCG and in some cases devised their own in-house Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) promotions around this year’s theme, In Life…When Gambling is No Longer a Game…Losing is NOT an Option!, to expand awareness among employees, patrons, and others. Thank you! Read a recap of FCCG and partner efforts during PGAM 2023 in the Newsletter, beginning at the bottom of Page 2 and continuing through Page 6, which includes: A Complete List of 2023 PGAM Partners; Media Coverage of FCCG’s 2023 PGAM Campaign; FCCG’s The Game of Life: Choose Your Path Digital Interactive Game; FCCG Executive Director Jennifer Kruse’s Presentation to the Florida Gaming Control Commission During PGAM; and Racinos Onsite Activities for PGAM.

Calder Casino’s Melissa Brooks Wins FCCG’s Take the Plunge Challenge
This edition features an interview with the FCCG’s winner of its Take the Plunge Challenge, which solicited ideas from gambling industry employees for Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) in 2024. The FCCG wants to congratulate Melissa Brooks, Risk and Communications Manager for Calder Casino, who took the plunge by outlining how storytelling could promote problem gambling and responsible gambling awareness among employees, patrons, and beyond!

FCCG’s Executive Director and Renowned Researchers Jointly Publish Manuscript

The FCCG’s Executive Director, Jennifer Kruse, was listed as a co-author for the manuscript, Exploring the Precipitating Events and Gambling‑Related Activities that Prompt Problem Gamblers and Spouses/Cohabitants to Contact a Gambling Helpline, which was prepared with 2021-2022 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine data and published in the Journal of Gambling Studies.

We want you to remember hope and help are within reach for all Floridians, including gambling industry professionals, and anyone struggling with gambling addiction. In the state of Florida, Your One Sure Thing 24/7 is 888-ADMIT-IT, a confidential and multilingual Problem Gambling HelpLine that can be reached by phone call or text (888-ADMIT-IT), chat (gamblinghelp.org), email (fccg@gamblinghelp.org), or via social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter. Best of all, resources are free to Florida residents!

April 19, 2023

FCCG’s Executive Director and Renowned Researchers
Jointly Publish Manuscript

The FCCG’s Executive Director was listed as a co-author for the manuscript, Exploring the Precipitating Events and Gambling‑Related Activities that Prompt Problem Gamblers and Spouses/Cohabitants to Contact a Gambling Helpline, which was prepared with 2021-2022 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine data and published in the Journal of Gambling Studies.

The publication of FCCG HelpLine data in this well-respected scientific journal, alongside renowned researchers and gambling addiction experts is both a distinct honor and a great demonstration of the importance of the FCCG’s work on the HelpLine and the significance of the data collection that occurs during the process. It is precisely this type of data that allows the FCCG to continue supporting much needed research in the field of problem gambling in Florida and enables the FCCG to grow and evolve its programs and resources for gamblers and loved ones in need of assistance.

Click to read manuscript abstract. The research performed analyzed 888-ADMIT-IT data from calls, texts, emails, and live chat interactions from Florida residents, examining the reasons people make contact, gambling activities, and gambling locations/venues endorsed by Problem Gamblers (PGs) and Spouses/Cohabitants (S/Cs).*

*Sciola, Anthony et al. “Exploring the Precipitating Events and Gambling-Related Activities that Prompt Problem Gamblers and Spouses / Cohabitants to Contact a Gambling Helpline,” Journal of Gambling Studies, April 19, 2023. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/
s10899-023-10207-0.

April 19, 2023

FCCG and 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine Featured on The 1% in Recovery Podcast

On April 19, 2023, the FCCG’s HelpLine and work were also featured on a nationwide podcast. The 1% in Recovery: Successful Gamblers & Alcoholics Stopping Addictions’ episode, titled Florida Director on Compulsive Gambling Jennifer Kruse Talks about Resources, Gamblers and Support, provided a platform for discussion about problem gambling in Florida, how gambling has increased, and available resources for help.

Click here to listen to the episode on Spotify.

April 5, 2023

FCCG Delivers New 888-ADMIT-IT Signage to Florida’s Slot-Licensed Gambling Facilities

On April 5, 2023, the FCCG notified each of the 8 FGCC Slot-Licensed Gambling Facilities of new 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine signage that was just developed and produced, and which was sent to them during the upcoming week.

March 22, 2023

FCCG Executive Director Interviewed During PGAM for Newsweek Magazine

FCCG Executive Director Jennifer Kruse was interviewed during 2023 Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) about impacts the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine is seeing in light of the sports betting boom, appearing in the March 31 – April 7, 2023 edition of Newsweek Magazine. Read the cover story here, These Are the Real Dangers of the Sports Betting Boom for Young Men, as featured on our 2023 PGAM Microsite.

March 20, 2023

FCCG Distributes March 2023 CARE TEAM Newsletter to Florida Gambling Industry Employees

On March 20, 2023, the FCCG distributed its third edition of the CARE TEAM Newsletter for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. March signifies the start of spring and a season synonymous with new growth and blooming opportunities. For the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) and the gambling industry as a whole, March is so much more. The FCCG is excited to participate in Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) this March, and recognizes the important relationships we have with gambling operators and the part you play as industry employees. Thank YOU for your partnership and serving a crucial role as a responsible gambling educator.

Midway through PGAM, we also see the start of March Madness, the college basketball tournament that inspired the creation of this annual initiative to educate the public on the risks of compulsive gambling. While PGAM may have been inspired by a rise in sports betting related to the tournament, this season is now a springboard for those seeking help for a gambling problem and hoping for a new beginning. In a time of regeneration, everyone has an opportunity to devise a new relationship with oneself, and this is something to keep in mind as you encounter patrons who may be experiencing difficulties due to gambling.

In this CARE Team newsletter, we have gathered the latest research and resources to help inform gambling industry operators and employees, so they can best assist those struggling with a gambling problem, and those adversely affected. Keep reading to learn more about our efforts to spread awareness and promote recovery during PGAM and how you can make your next decision in the game of life the right one. Additional featured articles in this edition address the unique challenges problem gambling presents to women and the African American community. In this issue, you will also find important information about sports gambling as we move closer to March Madness, as well as the latest findings from the FCCG’s Problem Gambling HelpLine, 888-ADMIT-IT.

We want you to remember hope and help are within reach for all Floridians, including gambling industry professionals, and anyone struggling with gambling addiction. In the state of Florida, Your One Sure Thing 24/7 is 888-ADMIT-IT, a confidential and multilingual Problem Gambling HelpLine that can be reached by phone call or text (888-ADMIT-IT), chat (gamblinghelp.org), email (fccg@gamblinghelp.org), or via social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter. Best of all, resources are free to Florida residents!

March 18, 2023

FCCG Provides PGAM Materials for NGA Amateur Extreme & 12th Annual NGA Gator Classic

On March 18, 2023, the FCCG provided a total of five hundred (500) 2023 Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) Signature Collateral Items for distribution at the NGA Amateur Extreme Bodybuilding/Fitness Show in Volusia County on April 1, 2023, and on April 15, 2023 for distribution during the 12th Annual NGA Gator Classic, also held in Volusia County, Florida this year. The 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine and gamblinghelp.org website are featured during both events via a linked banner on the official event website, on a printed promotional postcard for the event, on the printed event tickets, in the printed event program, as part of the stage backdrop during the event, and is also visible in photos posted to social media (Instagram) by event hosts and participants, securing additional exposures.

March 14, 2023

40 Florida Municipalities Issued Proclamations for Problem Gambling Awareness Month in 2023

On March 14, 2023, the FCCG attended The City of Orange City’s Monthly Commission Meeting in Volusia County, Florida, where the month of March 2023 was formally declared Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) in the city, and the FCCG was provided the opportunity to discuss the campaign and resources available through the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine with those in attendance. A total of 23 PGAM Partnership Impressions were achieved through participation in this outreach event.

A total of 271 Mayoral (and 1 Governors) Proclamation requests were issued by the FCCG during the month of January 2023 through online E-blast solicitation, and an additional 276 Hard Copy Mailing solicitation impressions were obtained during the month of February, from the FCCG’s February 21, 2023 printed letter mailing request.

In response to the FCCG’s proclamation solicitation efforts, this year, a total of 40 municipalities across the state responded by declaring the month of March 2023 as “Problem Gambling Awareness Month” in their respective jurisdictions.

March 13, 2023

FCCG Featured in Article Published in Print and Online by PlayFL

On March 13, 2023, the FCCG was also featured in an article titled “Florida Problem Gambling Group Says Online Betting Is On The Rise”, published in print and online by PlayFL.* This article highlighted the FCCG’s March 10th presentation before the Florida Gaming Control Commission. The presentation included background information on the FCCG, 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine data trends that were discussed, as well as direct access to problem gambling supports via publication of the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine number and gamblinghelp.org website address.

The PlayFL article can be viewed by clicking here.

March 10, 2023

FCCG Conducts Presentation in Tallahassee for the Florida Gaming Control Commission During PGAM

On March 10, 2023 the FCCG conducted a presentation in Tallahassee, Florida for the Florida Gaming Control Commission (FGCC). A total of twenty (20) 2023 Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) Signature Brochures were distributed to policymakers, regulators, and others in attendance. You can view the presentation below or on the FCCG’s YouTube Channel.

March 2023

FCCG Launches Digital Advertising and Social Media Outreach Campaigns for PGAM

During the month of March 2023, the FCCG developed and utilized new digital English and Spanish 2023 PGAM themed Programmatic, Mobile Banner, and Social Media Ads, as well as other digital outreach methods, designed to increase awareness of the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine and website to online viewers across the state of Florida, as well as generate exposures from the target audience of viewers located within a 5-mile radius of the FGCC slot-licensed pari-mutuel gambling facilities in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. In addition, during March, 2023 PGAM Mobile Banner Ads were used to advertise the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine and website inside target gambling facilities.

During the month of March 2023, FCCG social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn were utilized for PGAM messaging, with 2023 PGAM campaign themed creative, to encourage those suffering from the impacts of problem gambling to contact FCCG’s 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine to reach available help and hope.

March 2023

FCCG Airs 2023 PGAM-Themed TV and Radio PSAs in South Florida Markets

During the month of March, the FCCG began airing its 2023 PGAM-themed TV PSA, produced and placed in English on seven (7) diverse television Cable networks, as well as online (in both English and Spanish languages) through streaming video on Over-the-Top (OTT), a platform designed to reach viewers who stream live TV as opposed to watching traditional cable television. The FCCG’s 2023 PGAM television PSA campaign was aired across a variety of targeted shows and programs selected this year to reach a broad viewing audience in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. View the PSAs on the FCCG’s YouTube Channel.

The FCCG’s 2023 PGAM Streaming Radio Campaign also aired during the month of March 2023, with :30 spots, produced in various formats in both English and Spanish languages. The top categories for streaming radio this year were Pop, Rock, Latin, and Adult Contemporary.

March 2023

“The Game of Life: Choose Your Path” Introduced for PGAM Campaign

New for the 2023 PGAM Campaign, the FCCG worked to bring Melissa’s vision to life by creating The Game of Life: Choose Your Path, an interactive digital card game.

The game addressed topics and issues related to problem gambling with an objective of growing participants “LIFE POINTS” by making sound decisions throughout the course of the game. The game also prominently featured the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine as the destination for anyone suffering from problem gambling.

In this game, the objective is to grow LIFE POINTS by making sound decisions in a series of 8 rounds of play. In each round, after first answering a brief trivia question designed to provide the player with knowledge about problem gambling, he or she was able to choose a card to play from a series of 4 themed decks – WEALTH, CAREER, FAMILY, and ADVENTURE. Each card put the player in a situation where he or she must CHOOSE A PATH for how to proceed. The path the player chose each round determined whether he or she earned or lost LIFE POINTS. After choosing a path, the player saw the results of his or her decision in a brief video, and each of these videos gave the player an opportunity to earn extra points with DID YOU KNOW? multiple choice trivia questions.

At the end of the game, the player saw his or her total LIFE POINTS, the total LIFE POINTS possible with the path the player chose, and the total LIFE POINTS possible in the game. Players wanting to improve their score were invited to play the game again and make different choices.

This game was able to be played in the following ways:

Single Player: Play the game by yourself. Put your knowledge and judgment to the test to see how well you score. Repeat play to challenge yourself to get a higher score!

Multiplayer: Two or more people can compete to see who ends with the most LIFE POINTS! Each player will need his/her own device. All players start the game at the same time. When everyone is done, compare scores to see who got the most LIFE POINTS.

Group Play: Take on LIFE as a group! Using a display screen or projector so everyone can see, play the game in front of a group. Throughout the game, make each choice (cards, paths, trivia questions) by popular vote (such as a show of hands).

The FCCG’s 2023 PGAM game, THE GAME OF LIFE: CHOOSE YOUR PATH, contains features such as built-in “LOSS” cards which pop up during certain rounds if a person decides to gamble before a major life event. This “LOSS” cards would alter that major life event (for instance having your dream wedding or having to just get married at the courthouse), and the player would miss out on bonus points they would have earned, had they not gambled. However, they were given the chance to rethink that choice and make a more responsible decision by contacting the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine after seeing a HelpLine ad (like a billboard, taxi, brochure, or other signage) that appears strategically throughout the game. In these instances, players were able to redeem the points that they lost from the “LOSS” card.

In the final round for retirement, if a player chose to gamble, they lost a large amount of bonus points. However, since this round is the last one, they did not have the option to contact the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine and redeem any points (as they do elsewhere in the game), and the game ended.

March 2023

FCCG Updates Problem Gambling Awareness Month Microsite Throughout 2023 Campaign

The FCCG updated its Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) Campaign Microsite throughout the 2023 campaign.

This year, we added a new “Press” section to our PGAM Microsite where current events and news stories such as the Cover story featuring an interview conducted with the FCCG’s Executive Director during this year’s 2023 PGAM about impacts the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine is seeing in light of the sports betting boom, appearing in the March 31 – April 7, 2023 edition of Newsweek Magazine. Read the cover story here, These Are the Real Dangers of the Sports Betting Boom for Young Men, as featured on our 2023 PGAM Microsite.

FCCG also updated the 2023 PGAM Gambling Industry Specific page, the 2023 PGAM Policymakers page, the 2023 PGAM Mental Health Treatment Providers page, and the 2023 PGAM Partners page.

The PGAM Microsite, www.problemgamblingawarenessmonth.org, remains active throughout the year to provide campaign specific information and resources for visitors, such as training opportunities for mental health and other professionals, interactive quizzes, PGAM partnership specifics, and many other informational resources, including educational videos for gamblers and loved ones, and problem gambling specific resources available for help through the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine. This microsite is used to promote PGAM for each annual campaign and remains accessible to help build awareness for this yearly awareness event.

The FCCG’s PGAM Microsite main page was updated in February to feature the new 2023 PGAM Television PSA as posted via the FCCG’s YouTube page. Watch it on YouTube in English and Spanish.

March 2023

FCCG Redesigns and Updates Its “A Chance for Change” Recovery Workbooks

During the month of March 2023, the FCCG produced, both digitally and in hard-copy print, five-hundred (500) of its newly redesigned and updated “A Chance for Change” Recovery Workbooks for Compulsive Gamblers.

The FCCG’s “A Chance for Change” self-help recovery workbook series for gamblers, loved ones and older adult gamblers, are designed to act as a self-help program for persons suffering from the adverse effects of problem and compulsive gambling. The overall goals of the program are to help persons experiencing gambling related difficulties to eliminate self-defeating negative behaviors, to think clearly, and make better decisions to lead a healthier lifestyle. Workbooks may be utilized independently or in conjunction with support groups, professional counseling, or part of a law enforcement restitution program. This year, the FCCG continued to offer workbooks to all HelpLine contacts in need of such supports, as well as to professionals servicing the targeted population.

Learn more about the Workbooks and other literature resources available through the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine.

February 27, 2023

During PGAM 2023, FCCG Raised Awareness About National Gambling Disorder Screening Day Among Florida Treatment Providers

During the month of February, the FCCG communicated to Florida’s Licensed Mental Health & Substance Abuse Treatment Providers regarding the importance of conducting problem gambling screening and assessments on all clients presenting for treatment of any mental health or addictions issues, during the month of March, for Problem Gambling Awareness Month, and beyond, by promoting “National Gambling Disorder Screening Day”, occurring on March 14, 2023.

A 2023 PGAM awareness e-blast was sent to this target audience on February 27, 2023 to a total of 28,245 LMHC’s, LCSW’s, LMFT’s, and Psychologists, featuring links to the FCCG’s PGAM and gamblinghelp.org websites, along with important problem gambling background information as well as current problem gambling related risk factors and associated impacts on both gamblers and their loved ones.

The 2021-2022 24-Hour Problem Gambling HelpLine Annual Report Executive Summary video also accompanied the FCCG’s 2023 PGAM online outreach to Florida mental health treatment providers (including Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and Psychologists) and was distributed to that audience via the FCCG’s Mental Health Treatment Providers 2023 PGAM e-blast.

In addition, problem gambling screening tools were provided, and the FCCG’s 888-ADMIT-IT problem gambling HelpLine to use for access to appropriate problem gambling resources and treatment supports by certified gambling addiction providers for those screening positive. Providers were also encouraged to join the FCCG’s 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine referral network of certified gambling addiction counselors by offering free, on-demand access to the FCCG’s 60-hour certification training.

February 27, 2023

FCCG Requests Participation in 2023 PGAM Campaign Through Outreach to Florida Policymakers and Legislative Staff

This year, the FCCG sought partnership in the 2023 PGAM Campaign, and communicated the history and importance of this national grassroots advocacy effort, through electronic participation requests sent to Florida policymakers and legislative staff. Communications sent to this target audience included important education on problem gambling as a preventable and treatable public health disorder, along with information on the resources available for help through the FCCG’s 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine and a link to the Policymaker PGAM microsite webpage for additional resources. Downloadable digital fact and info sheets were also provided, along with the FCCG’s 2021-2022 HelpLine Evaluation Report, to assure constituents are aware that March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month and that confidential, multilingual, population-specific problem gambling resources are available 24/7 through the FCCG’s 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine. The new and expanded version of the FCCG’s 2021-2022 24-Hour Problem Gambling HelpLine Annual Report Executive Summary Video also accompanied the FCCG’s 2023 PGAM online outreach to Florida policymakers and was distributed to that audience via e-blast on February 27, 2023, and again on March 22, 2023, yielding a total of 505 PGAM Partnership Impressions.

February 23, 2023

FCCG Program Consultant Meets with “Take the Plunge Challenge” Winner

On February 23, 2023, the FCCG’s Program Consultant met with the 2023 PGAM “Take the Plunge Challenge” winner, Melissa John, at Harrah’s Pompano Beach. During the visit, campaign assets were shared and a picture was taken with Melissa, which was then featured on FCCG social media sites in recognition of her contributions to this year’s PGAM campaign.

February 13, 2023

FCCG Provides 12,000 Problem Gambling Awareness Month Materials to Florida Gambling Facilities

On February 13, 2023, each of the 8 FGCC slot-licensed gambling facilities were provided with a total of 12,000 of the FCCG’s 2023 Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) Signature Items for distribution to guests and employees, and heightened awareness of the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine during the upcoming awareness month of March. Materials provided included 8,000 the FCCG’s new 2023 PGAM signature brochure, double-sided in both English and Spanish, which focuses on the impacts that problem gambling can have on one’s path in life while raising awareness that help and hope are always available through the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine – for anyone in need.

Also provided was 4,000 of our signature 2023 PGAM Collateral, Diecision Stress Reliever Foam Dice featuring the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine number, along with this year’s memorable and meaningful tagline: “In Life…Think Twice Before You Roll the Dice!”

February 11, 2023

FCCG Presents Findings of HelpLine Annual Report in Video During PGAM

FCCG created a comprehensive “infographic” style video to present the findings of its 2021-2022 24-Hour Problem Gambling HelpLine Annual Report Executive Summary to visitors of its Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) Microsite, helping Floridians learn about the impacts of problem gambling on individuals, loved ones, and society through the lens of the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine. All the most notable findings and trends from the report appear in the 20+ minute video, which features a series of animated, colorful graphics set to music. The video can be viewed on the PGAM Microsite here.

February 2023

FCCG Partners with Florida’s Slot-Licensed Gambling Facilities for PGAM Campaign

During the month of February, 2023, the FCCG solicited partnership in the 2023 Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) campaign from each of the 8 slot-licensed FGCC gambling facilities, advising them of our theme for the year, “Shine the Light on Problem Gambling: In Life…When Gambling is No Longer a Game…Losing is Not an Option!” and the importance of their participation. As background into this year’s theme selection, in March 2022, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) issued a challenge to gambling industry operators, as part of its statewide PGAM initiative. Melissa John, Supervisor of Talent & Development for Isle Casino at Pompano Park won the Take the Plunge Challenge, which solicited ideas from gambling industry employees for the 2023 PGAM Campaign. Melissa’s submission suggested creating a game, loosely based on The Game of Life, addressing topics and issues related to responsible gambling. The FCCG is highlighting Melissa’s contributions to the field with this year’s theme for the 2023 PGAM Campaign: “Shine the Light on Problem Gambling: In Life…When Gambling is No Longer a Game…Losing is Not an Option!” Her story outlines the influence that both supervisors and employees have on colleagues, as well as the impacts they can have on the lives of the patrons they serve.

Customized digital banners were also provided by the FCCG in February, featuring theme-specific casino logo graphics for online outreach and awareness during PGAM and beyond. These awareness graphics can be placed on facility websites, social media pages, on closed circuit TVs, or as print ads for any print publication or promotional poster/sign/newsletter/etc. that may be published, printed, or aired during the month of March.

December 23, 2022

FCCG Distributes December 2022 CARE TEAM Newsletter to Florida Gambling Industry Employees

On December 23, 2022, the FCCG distributed its second edition of the CARE TEAM Newsletter for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. In this newsletter, we look back at 2022, the gambling industry as a whole and contacts to the FCCG’s 24/7 888-ADMIT-IT Problem Gambling HelpLine. We want to spread the message that hope and healing are available for those who are willing to take the first step toward recovery from a gambling problem. During this season, the FCCG is proud to be partnering with the National Council on Problem Gambling and the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviors at McGill University on their Gift Responsibly initiative, a campaign that educates people across the nation on the dangers of gifting lottery tickets and scratch offs to children with the hope of limiting youth gambling. As we work with partners to spread this important message, we encourage you not only to learn more about the Gift Responsibly campaign but to put it into practice when buying presents for children this holiday season. We can be the start of change for the next generation and reinforce the importance of responsible gambling.

While many Floridians enjoy gambling without any difficulties, the holidays can intensify these behaviors and make the most wonderful time of year feel a little less bright. Casino workers, in particular, may be significantly affected, as we cover in this CARE TEAM newsletter, due to their own, a loved one’s, a colleague’s, or a patron’s gambling problem. The FCCG also recognizes the increased pressures inflation and a possible recession have placed on our state’s residents, and how these factors can further impact gambling behavior.

The holidays should be a time of celebration and reconnection with loved ones, so if you or someone you know are struggling, remember, gambling problems are treatable for those who seek help.

Additionally, as November was National Awareness Month for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), we are honoring this month by encouraging those who are battling issues with their mental health and are feeling the need to escape via gambling to first seek out the resources the FCCG HelpLine is proud to provide.

This newsletter also highlights the need for increased funding for compulsive gambling services. Such monetary support is essential to fund programs for both problem gamblers and loved ones who are experiencing a range of difficulties in their lives, including but not limited to financial, legal, mental health, relationship, and other challenges. According to a 2021 survey, Florida ranked 34th in the country in per capita funds invested in problem gambling services. This newsletter attempts to shed some light on the broader issue of funding for such programming.

The support provided by the FCCG includes our 24/7 HelpLine 888-ADMIT-IT—a one-stop-shop for recovery resources, an Online Program for Problem Gamblers (OPPG), the Peer Connect program, self-help tools and workbooks, guidance on self-excluding from gambling facilities and limiting access to cash options, as well as in-person, phone, and online self-help meetings and other services, pending individual needs and preferences.

The FCCG also supports addiction and other healthcare practitioners, gambling industry operators, employee assistance professionals, and others with information, training and support.

As we near the end of the year, we have the opportunity to reflect on the days behind us while looking forward to the fresh start the new year promises. But before the ball drops at midnight, we can take steps to safeguard our relationships, careers, social lives, and more from the impacts of compulsive gambling. Help is within reach for all Floridians, including gamblers, loved ones of compulsive gamblers, casino employees who may be struggling with difficulties, and others who may be feeling less than joyful this holiday season or are trying to cope with the effects of a recession coupled with gambling-related difficulties. Make contact today!

In the state of Florida, Your One Sure Thing 24/7 is 888-ADMIT-IT, a confidential and multilingual Problem Gambling HelpLine that can be reached by phone (888-236-4848), text (321-978-0555), chat (gamblinghelp.org), email (fccg@gamblinghelp.org), or via social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter. Best of all, resources are free to Florida residents!

December 2022

Signature Brochure Developed for 2023 Problem Gambling Awareness Month Campaign

During the month of December 2022, the FCCG also developed a new signature 2023 Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) brochure (double-sided in English and Spanish), for both patron and employee distribution once produced. In tandem with our PGAM theme, the 2023 brochure focused on the impacts that problem gambling can have on one’s path in life while raising awareness that help and hope are always available through the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine – for anyone in need.

November 12, 2022

FCCG Provides UCF Training Center with 888-ADMIT-IT Collateral Items for Lottery-Themed Raffle Basket

On October 21, 2022, the FCCG provided the University of Central Florida’s Uknight Training Center with 3 FCCG collateral items featuring the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine and gamblinghelp.org website for inclusion in a Lottery themed raffle basket included in the “All Stars Cheer Team Silent Auction”, held November 12, 2022 in Orlando, Florida.

November 2022

“Decision Dice” Developed for 2023 Problem Gambling Awareness Month Campaign

During the month of November 2022, the FCCG selected its 2023 Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) Signature Collateral item, “Decision Stress Reliever Foam Dice”, to be produced and designed in upcoming months. Each stress-reliever foam die features a total of 6 sides, with five of the sides offering answers to pressing questions and choices that we are all faced with in daily life, such as “Yes”, “No”, “Maybe”, “Ask Again”, and “Not Today”, and one side featuring the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine number, along with this year’s memorable and meaningful tagline: “In Life…Think Twice Before You Roll the Dice!”

October 6, 2022

FCCG Unveils New 2022/2023 Responsible Gambling and Player Protection Program (RGPPP) Annual Refresher Training

On October 6, 2022, the FCCG unveiled its new 2022/2023 Responsible Gambling Annual Refresher Training Program curriculum. The FCCG’s 2022/2023 Responsible Gambling and Player Protection Program (RGPPP) Annual Refresher Training was modified this year, similarly to last year, to offer both a live training delivery format as well as an online learning module, to best accommodate training needs. All required training components, including the Pre/Post-Test Questions, the Training Evaluation, and the CARE TEAM Newsletter sign-up form, are provided in both a hard copy and an online format so that participants are able to complete this course ether through an FCCG delivered in-person live training, or via an on-demand module. Training participants (i.e. casino employees) participate in this training through live training sessions or via computer online (or through their mobile device) at the direction of facility management.

The FCCG’s 2022/2023 Annual Refresher Training continues to provide Florida gambling industry employees with important education on the following: the characteristics and symptoms of a gambling problem; identification of vulnerable populations (i.e. women, low-income patrons, the elderly, and persons who abuse drugs and/or alcohol); tools to use in assisting an identified problem gambler on facility grounds; and information on assistance and referral programs such as self-exclusion, as well as other available resources for help through the FCCG’s 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine.

September 12, 2022

FCCG Distributes September 2022 CARE TEAM Newsletter to Florida Gambling Industry Employees

On September 12, 2022, the FCCG distributed its first edition of the CARE TEAM Newsletter for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. The newsletter focused on the 2022 first ever Responsible Gaming Education “Month” (RGEM), and ways to promote gambling literacy and consumer education, elevate employee responsible gambling trainings, and work together during September and beyond, to continue to promote responsible gambling in Florida casinos.

Also, in the September CARE TEAM Newsletter, the FCCG featured an interview with Melissa John, Supervisor of Talent & Development for Isle Casino Pompano Park, who won the FCCG’s 2022 Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) “Take the Plunge Challenge”, which solicited ideas from gambling industry employees for the theme of the 2023 PGAM Campaign. Melissa’s submission suggested centering the theme around The Game of Life, addressing topics and issues related to problem and responsible gambling.

Another important topic highlighted in the September CARE TEAM Newsletter, was the FCCG’s determined general campaign theme for the 2022-2023 fiscal year, “Florida’s One Sure Thing is 888-ADMIT-IT”. This new framework focuses on the hope and help provided through the FCCG’s 24/7 HelpLine and how Floridians who may be struggling with a gambling problem, or their loved ones, are fortunate to have “One Sure Thing”; the 888-ADMIT-IT confidential, multilingual, 24/7 problem gambling helpline.

Other features of the September 2022 edition of the CARE TEAM Newsletter, included discussion on the benefits of practicing responsible gambling, how easy it is to become a problem gambler, and a “Can You Find the Words” crossword puzzle designed to challenge employee knowledge about problem and responsible gambling through word identification in this activity.

June 28, 2022

“Take the Plunge Challenge” Winner and Problem Gambling Awareness Month Campaign Theme Announced for 2023

In March 2022, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) issued its “Take the Plunge Challenge” to gambling industry operators, which solicited ideas from employees for the 2023 PGAM Campaign as part of its statewide Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) initiative.

In its June 2022 CARE TEAM Newsletter for gambling industry employees, the FCCG congratulated Melissa John, Supervisor of Talent & Development for Isle Casino at Pompano Park, who won the Take the Plunge Challenge.

Melissa’s submission suggested creating a game, loosely based on The Game of Life, addressing topics and issues related to responsible gambling. The FCCG highlighted Melissa’s contributions to the field with the 2023 PGAM Campaign: “Shine the Light on Problem Gambling: In Life…When Gambling is No Longer a Game…Losing is Not an Option!” Her story outlines the influence that both supervisors and employees have on colleagues, as well as the impacts they can have on the lives of the patrons they serve.

September 2022

FCCG Launches 2022 Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM) Campaign

During the month of September 2022, the FCCG launched its 2022 Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM) campaign for use by Florida gambling industry operators, during the first ever nationally celebrated awareness month (historically this awareness event was just for a week). Campaign assets this year included 2022 RGEM digital banner for display around the casino floor (e.g., on TVs, slot machines, ATMs, and ticket redemption machines), and for use online, by posting on facility websites and on any other social media platforms, and development and production of a new brochure titled “In The Game Called Life, Losing is NOT an Option. 888-ADMIT-IT is the Game Plan!”

The primary purpose of RGEM is to highlight the gambling industry’s ongoing dedication to prioritizing and promoting responsible gambling opportunities across all operations, increasing national awareness about problem gambling, and advancing corresponding responsible gambling initiatives. Online wagering as well as onsite Casino and Sports wagering is the focus of RGEM nationwide, and industry leaders are urged to “Have a Game Plan” for responsible gambling, as legal options for gambling are expanded in Florida and beyond. The FCCG’s tagline for the 2022 RGEM campaign in Florida, focuses on the importance of empowering customers to play responsibly and providing access to gambling support through the 888-ADMIT-IT helpline for those in need.

The FCCG’s 2022 RGEM brochure encourages patrons to make the right moves when engaging in any gambling game and to “Choose Your Gambling Path” by selecting the “Recreational Gambling Path” in life, and knowing how to recognize the warning signs of a gambling problem. The brochure furnishes practical guidelines for betting responsibly, and highlights key indicators that gambling could be a problem in the “Problem Gambling Path” illustration. Finally, the brochure assures people that regardless of what path they take, the first line of defense is knowing that help exists through the 888-ADMIT-IT number.

August 23, 2022

FCCG Presents on Fraud Prevention for Seniors with the City of Sanford Police Department Financial Crimes Unit

On August 23, 2022, in preparation for the FCCG’s “Fighting Fraud” presentation for seniors and senior service providers at Serenity Towers in Seminole County, FL, the FCCG prepared 1,120 goody bags containing important consumer protection and gambling-related fraud prevention materials, along with FCCG print and collateral population-specific items featuring the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine for participant distribution to provide access to FCCG problem gambling supports.