A hotline that will connect problem gamblers or their families with immediate assistance will begin operation in Kansas March 1.

The hotline – 1-866-NO BET 00, or 1-866-662-3800 – is managed by the Mental Health Consortium under contract with the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS). The hotline will create a means to connect Kansans who have concerns about gambling behavior with counselors specifically trained and certified to work with the issue of compulsive gambling.

The 2000 Kansas Legislature established the $100,000 problem gambling grant fund, using $20,000 from the state bingo regulations fund and $80,000 from the state gaming revenues fund. Under the provisions of House Bill 2013, SRS set up the hotline and worked with partners to initiate compulsive gambling treatment counselor certification training and develop a treatment program. SRS will also work to increase public awareness of the issue of problem gambling in Kansas.

Using information from an analysis by Harvard Medical School’s Division on Addiction, it is estimated that up to 73,000 Kansans or 3.94 percent of the state’s adult population could face a gambling addiction. The study also estimated that between 3 and 4 percent of those with the gambling addiction seek help.

"Addictive gambling is often a hidden problem that brings about devastating social and economic problems to families," said Janet Schalansky, SRS Secretary. "The hotline and the counseling and treatment program will offer help to those in need."

Since the treatment of problem gamblers is a new effort for SRS, the agency did not have ready access to an adequate number of trained professionals who could provide the needed services. The agency worked with the Kansas Coalition on Problem Gambling – recognized as the credentialing body for counselor certification for compulsive gambling – to provide counselor education and training. The coalition is a section of the Kansas Association of Addiction Professionals, which in turn is affiliated with the National Council on Problem Gambling.

For the hotline staff, training and education was done by the Kansas Coalition on Problem Gambling for the Mental Health Consortium and the Regional Alcohol and Drug Assessment Centers.

Schalansky said the public awareness campaign has a goal to help families and helping professionals recognize problem gambling and how to obtain help. The agency is also working with the Kansas Department on Aging regarding problem gambling in this age group. She said the agency will work to create a standardized screening tool so all mental health and addiction professionals can begin screening for problem gambling. In addition, SRS will be seeking ways to repeat a 1996 Kansas State University study of problem gambling to determine whether there has been a significant change in the number of individuals with problem gambling.

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001