Lottery Employee Receives Problem
Gambling Service Award
 Shelly Perez, Missouri Lottery publications manager and responsible gaming coordinator, was selected today to receive the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling’s Service Award. The award was presented during the 2006 Midwest Conference on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse in Kansas City. It is presented in recognition of extraordinary contributions to the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling over the course of the past year by an individual or representative of a member organization.
Perez, one of the founding members of the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling,
has coordinated the Alliance’s comprehensive public awareness and prevention programs
for more than eight years. She is the editor of the Alliance’s annual report and
quarterly newsletter BETSOFF Bulletin and serves on the editorial advisory board
of the Responsible Gaming Quarterly publication. She coordinates content and
design of the
Alliance’s Web site www.betsoff.org; develops news releases for a variety of Alliance
events including Responsible Gaming Education Month and Problem Gambling Education
Week; develops creative for Alliance youth prevention videos, Public Service
Announcements and advertising campaigns; serves as intermediary to the Second Chance
and ALL BETS OFF in-school problem gambling prevention programs; presents
and exhibits
at international, national, regional and local conferences and meetings on problem
gambling and addiction; serves on planning and development committees including the
past three Midwest Conferences on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse and the upcoming
National Conference on Prevention, Research & Treatment of Problem Gambling to be held
in Kansas City next June.
"Shelly has completed 60 hours of compulsive gambling counselor training and continues to study to increase her knowledge of the topic of problem gambling and addiction," said Joanne Collins, chairperson of the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling. "Her hard work, innovation and dedication to raising awareness for the issue of problem gambling and the promotion of responsible gaming are a big part of the Alliance’s success. Her extraordinary commitment, support and service to Alliance members, problem gamblers and their families is worthy of special recognition." |
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Help Is Available
If you feel you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call
1-888-BETSOFF
(1-888-238-7633).
Your toll-free call to 1-888-BETSOFF can put you in touch
with people who understand your situation and can refer
you to free treatment in your area.
Compulsive gambling is a behavior disorder in which an individual has an uncontrollable
preoccupation and urge to gamble. This results in excessive gambling, the outcome of
which is loss of time and money.
The gambling reaches the point at which it compromises, disrupts or destroys the
gambler's personal life, family relationships or vocational pursuits. The key
signs are emotional dependence on gambling, loss of control and interference with
normal functioning. |
