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August is Responsible Gaming Education Month

The Missouri Lottery recognizes August as Responsible Gaming Education month in Missouri. The awareness month originated in 2003 to promote responsible gaming efforts, as well as the resources available for problem gambling prevention, treatment and recovery services.

The goal of Responsible Gaming Education Month is to educate players on positive play habits, so they can keep their play safe and fun. Strategies to keep games of chance from developing into a problem include budgeting time and money, knowing how the games work and your chances of winning before you play, never borrowing money to gamble and balancing gambling with other recreational activities.

In support of Responsible Gaming Education Month, the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling is airing "How do you know if gambling is a problem for you?" public service announcements (PSAs) throughout the month. The PSAs pose questions designed to help recognize the signs of problem gambling.

If gambling becomes a problem for you or someone you know, free help is available by calling 1-800- GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or 1-888-BETSOFF, emailing freehelp888betsoff.org or visiting . The Missouri Gaming Commission and the Missouri Lottery both offer their own voluntary, self-exclusion lists for problem gamblers. More information about problem gambling concerns and responsible gaming can be found at 888betsoff.org, ncpgambling.org and gamblersanonymous.org.