Public service announcements have begun running in Iowa this week, reminding all of us to “have the conversation” about problem gambling.
We produced the PSAs with the Iowa Department of Public Health to highlight that March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month. The goal of the awareness effort is to educate the general public and health care professionals about the warning signs of problem gambling and raise awareness of the issue.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, know that help is available all across our state through the Iowa Gambling Treatment Program. Please call 1-800-BETSOFF or visit www.1800betsoff.org if you’re looking for more information. The hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
We’ve received tremendous support from television stations, cable systems, radio stations and outdoor billboard companies that have agreed to run the new PSAs at no cost. It’s our hope that this combined effort will provide the right information at the right time to someone in need.
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