HOME  Chat Rooms List Gambling Chat Rooms

Problem Gamblers Online Chat Service

A program that helps problem gamblers in West Virginia is preparing to launch a free online chat service with counselors.

The Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia's new service is set to go live Dec. 7 at www.1800Gambler.net.

Director of Development Sheila Moran says the network hopes to reach younger people with gambling problems.

The network's telephone help line, 1-800-GAMBLER, has received about 530 calls from people age 25 and under since it was launched in 2000, compared to more than 3,700 calls from people ages 36 to 55.

Moran says the goal is to connect people with the network and inform them about its services.

The difficult thing to remember is that unless the person wants to stop gambling themselves, anyone supporting them will have difficulty helping them stop. The gambler has to recognise they have a problem first. It's important to understand that if they don't realise they have a problem they may not be open about it. Make sure they know that if a time comes when they do want to talk about it there is support available.