GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – A Green Bay-based agency that helps Wisconsinites struggling with gambling shares some new statistics.
Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling says they received 12,674 calls to their helpline in 2017.
“In 2016, we had 13,081 calls. In 2015, we had 14,690 calls. Our average caller last year had an average debt of over $34,000. That number may actually be low because when somebody calls us initially, they may not really think about their total debt.”
The organization’s Rose Blozinski notes a few problems that stem from gambling issues keep popping up.
“More bankruptcies, more family issues surrounding the financial concerns. We’re also starting to hear more people who have thoughts of suicide.”
Blozinski says they hear from both gamblers and family members.
“We give them any community resources that we have for them and then we a lot of times just let them talk, Through that process, they kind of work through their feelings on it.”
Anyone in need of the organization’s services can contact them by calling 1-800-GAMBLE5 or by texting 920-888-HELP.
