Dear Members of the Missouri House Budget Committee:

I am a state certified compulsive gambling counselor, the Vice President of Telephonic Services and Program Manager of Missouri's problem gambling helpline,  888-BETS-OFF.  I am a lifelong resident of Missouri, and proud to be a participating member of the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling.  As Program Manager of the Missouri helpline, I am extremely dismayed and fearful to hear of your plans to eliminate funding for problem gambling treatment.

The 888-BETS-OFF helpline received nearly 2000 calls in 2008, from problem gamblers and their families.  These individuals, whose financial resources are diminished because of their addiction to gambling, need to be able to turn to this funding source to assist them in recovery.  A gambling addiction is complex, not well understood by the untrained, and in many cases, an 'invisible' disorder; not recognizable as other addictions might be.

It is egregious and unconscionable for any governmental body to accept gambling revenue while refusing to provide the necessary services to those who are adversely affected.  The resulting consequences to children of problem gamblers and their families, not to mention the financial and personal devastation to the gamblers themselves, would be irreparable.

Typically, when a problem gambler makes a call to the helpline, they are desperate, panicked, out of money, and don't know where to turn.  They are potentially facing alienation from their spouse or partner, potential job loss, increasing debt and bill delinquency.  Should funding for counseling services be eliminated, gamblers will NOT get needed treatment, and the problems created by the disorder will multiply.

One reason that our agency operates the helpline is because of our long standing experience with suicide and crisis intervention--problem gamblers face a higher risk for suicide than the general population.  Individuals who are trapped, hopeless, anxious, isolated, and feeling worthless (commonalities for problem gamblers) are exhibiting warning signs for suicide.

Missouri has legalized gambling, having determined that the benefits of gambling as a form of entertainment and a revenue-generator for the state outweigh the adverse consequences to a small proportion of individuals. As a result, you have an ethical obligation to provide services to those whose lives are forever altered by that choice.  With all sincerity, I ask you to ensure continued funding for problem gambling treatment in Missouri.

Very truly yours,

Sue Self