Online Gambling Program

September 5, 2007

For those people who have found themselves at the mercy of any kind of gambling addiction, there is now help. The state of Oregon has a new state sponsored online gambling treatment program that will help those people who may not be able to get to a treatment center or may be embarrassed to go to a meeting.

The new program will allow people to log in to a live chat on the state’s internet site that would help in much the same way that traditional telephone counseling does. The program will help those addicted to any kind of online gambling, or the lottery’s video games, or any other kind of gambling within the state.

The program says that more than 4,000 people call them every year seeking help for some kind of gambling addiction, and they say that by adding an online gambling chat room it takes the pressure off of the individual and they would be able to keep their anonymity. They would not have to speak to anyone they did not want to, and no one would be the wiser as to who they are.

With Oregon’s Lottery sales increasing to record highs – more than $1 billion a year, they felt it was necessary to reach out to those that might have developed some sort of addiction over the years to their lottery games. A minimum of 1% of revenue will go to problem gambling treatments.

They ask people to log onto their web site at www.1877mylimit.org, and follow the links to live chat. It is available weekdays from 9 am to 9 pm. They will be increasing their assist services by adding email and instant messaging to the site as well.



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