Did you know that one percent of all Americans are pathological gamblers and another two to three percent are problem gamblers? These are people that go beyond recreational gambling and borrow money while gambling.
Global Cash Access (GCA), the leading provider of cash access services for the gaming industry, has launched a new initiative, the Responsible Gaming Partnership program, to promote responsible gaming. The program was developed in cooperation with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), and is being distributed to the more than 1,200 gaming properties served by GCA. GCA is aware of their unique opportunity to have a positive impact on problem gambling.
The idea behind the program is to target gaming patrons at the point-of-decision. GCA provides ATMs and POS debit and credit card cash advance devices which have messages that encourage patrons to Think and act responsibly in obtaining funds, plus the 24-hour, toll-free help line number for the NCPG. Over two-thirds of these devices include a telephone handset with direct access to the GCA 24-hour call center.
GCA (www.globalcashaccess.com) is training its call center service representatives to be alert to gaming patrons using the code word Think, and to immediately provide a connection to the NCPG hotline. The code word is provided in a pre-recorded message, and offers gaming patrons a discreet, non-threatening way to access help. The GCA customer call center fields approximately 150,000 calls per month.
As part of the new program, GCA has developed other consumer and employee education materials that gaming properties may find useful. These materials include information aimed at helping problem gamblers get assistance, as well as identifying and interceding with potentially underage guests.
The NCPG (www.ncpgambling.org) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to disseminate information about compulsive gambling and to help those afflicted with the disorder. Their 24/7 nationwide hotline number is 1-800-522-4700. Their Web site contains helpful information such as an easy-to-access listing of their members and affiliates, a 20-question quiz to help you determine if youre a problem gambler, and links to other resources where you can find help.
