NICOS hosts Chinese community Problem Gambling Project helpline

(SAN FRANCISCO) – The San Francisco Board of Supervisors recently passed a resolution introduced by Supervisor Gordon Mar to recognize March as the Problem Gambling Awareness Month in the City.

Mar said Problem Gambling is a public health issue with potentially devastating consequences on the mental, physical, and financial health of the individuals and their entire families.

According to the California Office of Problem Gambling, there are more than one million problem gamblers in the State. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) classifies “gambling disorder” as an addiction with similarities to the causes and consequences of alcohol and drug dependence.

“We commend Supervisor Mar for championing the cause of problem gambling,” said Kent Woo, Executive Director of NICOS Chinese Health Coalition which has provided services related to gambling for over 20 years.

Woo said, “Although problem gambling is a treatable disease, and treatment is very effective in minimizing the harm to individuals, families and society as a whole, only 15% of problem gamblers ever seek help. Awareness and treatment could greatly improve the lives of many families and individuals.”

NICOS hosts the Chinese Community Problem Gambling Project Helpline, 1-888-968-7888, a multilingual gateway to many cost-free resources, counseling and State-subsidized professional treatment for problem gamblers.