Des Moines, Iowa — March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month and the Iowa Office of Problem Gambling is part of the effort to raise awareness of the issue and direct people to help.
Katrina Bee leads the Iowa office and says they have a list of 12 questions you can ask yourself about your gambling.
An example of a question asks have you tried to keep your family or friends from knowing how much you gambled in the last year. Bee says these questions can also let you know that there is some impact on your life from gambling.
She says the next step is to seek help and let a professional determine a diagnosis. Bee says the most recent survey indicates good recognition by Iowans of where to get help.
Your Life Iowa is another resource along with Betts Off where you can get help. Bee says they had 15 hundred contacts to Your Life Iowa and Bets Off in the last fiscal year.
She made her comments during the recent Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission meeting.
If you need help, call 1-800-BETS-OFF, text 855-895-8698, or chat at yourlifeiowa.org/gambling
