The Link

1/25/2013
HEARTLAND FAMILY SERVICE

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY IS THE BIGGEST GAMBLING DAY OF THE YEAR

Heartland Family Service Offers Support to People Experiencing Problems with Sports Gambling

The countdown is on for Super Bowl XLVII, a match up between the San Francisco 49ers and the Baltimore Ravens to be held in New Orleans on February 3, 2013. As this exciting annual sports event approaches, Heartland Family Service wants the public to be aware that help is available at the time of the Super Bowl and throughout the year for anyone experiencing problems with sports gambling.

Sports betting is big business. The Super Bowl alone generates an estimated $10 billion in legal and illegal gambling annually.

Rarely do the gamblers ask for help-it is usually the spouse or employer who finally exposes the habit that breaks homes, destroys lives and undermines the bottom line at the worksite. Symptoms of a gambling problem include being preoccupied with gambling, betting increasing amounts of money over time, repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop or control gambling, and chasing losses.

Read more about Super Bowl gambling at http://bit.ly/HFSTipsSuperbowl

If you have promised someone you love that you would gamble less this year, call 1-800-BETS-OFF and let us help you keep that promise.

If you are worried that someone you love is having problems with excessive gambling, call 1-800-BETS-OFF to get information that will help you know what steps to take.

1-800-BETS-OFF is a toll-free, confidential, helpline and encourages anyone who is concerned about their own or a loved one's gambling to call. Staff is available 24/7 to help, and you will be referred to programs in your area.

With gambling treatment, recovery is possible. There is hope.

Heartland Family Service has offered compulsive gambling education and treatment in Iowa since 1986. Services include outpatient individual and group counseling. Financial counseling is provided to help the gambler repay debts and create a stable budget. Counseling, education and support services to family members and/or concerned others is available, and prevention education is offered to the community. The program is funded by the Iowa Department of Human Services.

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Heartland Family Service is a non-profit organization. We believe when life improves for one of us, life improves for all of us. We all matter.

Heartland Family Service Prevention Services 515 E. Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA 51503 712-322-1407 www.HeartlandFamilyService.org

(Contact: Tiffani Pinkerton/Prevention Specialist Heartland Family Service, tpinkerton@heartlandfamilyservice.org, Office - 712-325-5629, Cell - 402-680-0025)