State Health Department Holding Summit to Discuss Online Games and Internet Gambling
Date: 3/4/2016
Number: 16-009
Contact: Orville Thomas, (916) 440-7259
SACRAMENTO - California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith announced the department is gathering nationally recognized problem-gambling treatment experts to discuss issues such as Internet and app-based gambling.
The CDPH Office of Problem Gamblingās (OPG) annual summit will be held in Los Angeles on March 7 - 8, 2016, with the theme of Changing Lives.
āAs gambling has entered our phones, pockets and purses, the triggers that affect the estimated one-million problem gamblers in California have become ever closer and constant,ā said Dr. Smith. āThe increase in ways in which people can gamble brings additional challenges for problem gamblers and their families.ā
Workshops on treatment and prevention will include treating the next generation of problem gamblers. Participants will hear from people in recovery and honor excellence in responsible gambling and in the treatment of gambling disorders.
The annual summit is held in March to coincide with Problem Gambling Awareness month. The 2016 Problem Gambling Awareness month theme is Donāt Ignore the Signs of Problem Gambling. Signs include depression, guilt, shame, financial devastation, broken relationships, loss of employment, and even physical and mental health-related issues.
OPG is responsible for developing prevention and treatment programs to reduce the prevalence of gambling disorder among California residents. It is funded through Indian gaming, the California Lottery and cardrooms.
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