This post originally appeared at https://wifamilycouncil.org/radio/2-5m-americans-have-a-severe-gambling-problem/
During March, the National Council on Problem Gambling is raising awareness of the approximately 2.5 million people in the United States who meet the criteria for having a severe gambling problem, with an additional 5-8 million facing mild to moderate gambling problems. Problem gambling costs about $14B nationally every year in public funds due to job loss, bankruptcy, healthcare, and criminal justice costs. Wisconsin is not immune to these problems.
Casinos contribute to problem gambling. The closer one lives to a casino, the more likely a person is to develop a gambling problem. Wisconsin has plenty of casinos; we don’t need the one currently proposed in Kenosha. This casino would absolutely hurt individuals, families, and the community at large by increasing the number of people ensnared by this devastating addiction.
Julaine Appling