The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the Association of Problem Gambling Service Administrators (APGSA) are pleased to present Problem Gambling Awareness 2009, a grassroots public awareness and outreach campaign. It will kick off during National Problem Gambling Awareness Week to be held March 1 - 7, 2009.

The goal of this campaign is to educate the general public and health care professionals about the warning signs of problem gambling and raise awareness about the help that is available both locally and nationally.

The ongoing mission of the NCPG is to promote awareness of problem gambling and the availability of counseling support services to help minimize the effects of this national problem and to provide a message of hope and help to those in need.

Our research finds that 2%-3% of the US population will have a gambling problem in any given year. That’s 6 million to 9 million Americans yet only a small fraction seek out services, such as treatment and self-help recovery programs.

We invite you to join us by participating in at least one educational activity during the week. The National Problem Gambling Awareness Week website (www.npgaw.org) has a variety of free tools, suggested activities and all the necessary materials including:

• Fast two-question diagnostic screen for healthcare providers;
• Free TV Public Service Announcement (PSA) for the gaming industry;
• Sample proclamations for state, tribal, county and city government;
• Fact sheets on internet gambling, youth, seniors, etc…