In case you forgot to mark it on your calendar, this is National Problem Gambling Awareness Week.
And since Pennsylvania is now in the casino business, the state wants all you problem gamblers to know that help is available. Not that the state is discouraging you to gamble, mind you. Gov. Ed Rendell has a lot riding on the success of the state's 51,000 slot machines.
But if you do get into trouble by gambling away your kids' college fund, the state departments of Health, Agriculture and Revenue are there for you.
The three agencies want you to know that counseling and treatment services are available for Pennsylvania residents with a gambling addiction.
"Problem gambling impacts not only the gambler but also their family and friends," Health Secretary Dr. Calvin Johnson says in a press release. "The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is committed to addressing compulsive gambling and reminds problem gamblers that help is available."
Problem gambling is defined as an urge to gamble despite harmful negative consequences or gambling despite an urge to stop, the release continues.
Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Edward Trees stressed the Lottery's commitment to responsible gaming. (The Lottery is administered by the Department of Revenue.)
"The Pennsylvania Lottery is committed to maximizing revenues to benefit vital programs for older Pennsylvanians through the responsible sale and marketing of its products," Trees says in the release. "The Lottery refrains from mischaracterizing its products by portraying 'fantasy' depictions in its advertising with no scenes of excessive material wealth, no portrayals of winners quitting jobs, and no depictions of great material gain. The Lottery encourages players to have fun playing its games with discretionary dollars, but reminds players that they should always 'play responsibly.'
"In partnership with the Pennsylvania Council on Compulsive Gambling, the Lottery also sponsors a toll-free gambling hotline that is featured on the back of instant tickets, during live televised drawings and on the Lottery's Web site at www.palottery.com."
And how does the Agriculture Department fit in with gambling addiction?
The Pennsylvania Horse Commission and the Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission have a stake in the state's casino industry.
All six racetracks in the state have instituted policies that promote safe, responsible gambling and are reviewed by the Licensing and Enforcement Board to protect Pennsylvania citizens, according to Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.
"Gaming at Pennsylvania's horse and harness racetracks is a fun, recreational activity," Wolff says in the release. "We want to make sure all visitors to our tracks enjoy gaming in a way that won't inflict any hardship on their lives or families."
Assistance is available by calling the 24-hour Pennsylvania Gambling Addiction hotline at 1-877-565-2112. The call is confidential, anonymous and free.
For more information on problem gambling, call 1-877-PA-HEALTH or visit www.dsf.health.state.pa.us
Good luck.
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