KYLottery.com

The Kentucky Lottery supports the efforts of the Kentucky Council On Compulsive Gambling to provide help for persons who may have a gambling problem. If you or someone you know has a problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER for help, or if you would like additional information on how to get help, visit the National Council on Problem Gambling site at ncpgambling.org, or 800gambler.org.

Do you or someone you know have a gambling problem?

The Gambler’s Annonymous program uses these 20 questions to determine if someone can be classified as a compulsive gambler:

1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?
2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
3. Did gambling affect your reputation?
4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?
6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
7. After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?
8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?
9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?
10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?
11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?
12. Were you reluctant to use “gambling money” for normal expenditures?
13. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself and your family?
14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?
15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?
16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?
17. Did gambling ever cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?
19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?
20. Have you ever considered self destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?

According to the Gamblers Annonymous criteria, most compulsive gamblers will answer “yes” to at least seven of these questions. More information on how to find a Gamblers Anonymous chapter in your area can be obtained by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.

How does the KY Lottery try to help?

• “Play Responsibly. Remember, it’s just a game.” This message, including the 1-800-GAMBLER™ hotline number, is placed on ticket vending machines, ticket dispensers, all Point-Of-Sale materials, game brochures, game cards, television advertising, print advertising, outdoor and transit advertising. “Play Responsibly” appears on instant scratch-off and on-line games ticket and play slips. The message is also used in all :30 radio spot advertising and the Logo is used on :30 TV advertising as well as the nightly televised drawing.
• Brochures with the Gambler’s Anonymous 20 Questions and the 1-800-GAMBLER™ hotline number are placed in all retailer play centers. Stickers with the hotline number are placed in various Point-Of-Sale locations in Lottery retailers.
• Retailers are required annually to sign a form acknowledging they have been informed of the KLC’s Play Responsibly Program, that materials with the 1-800-GAMBLER™ hotline number are permanently located in their store, and that they are aware of the KLC’s policy regarding the prohibition of play by anyone under the age of 18.
• Working with the KYCPG, the KY Lottery has helped sponsor numerous counselor training sessions across the Commonwealth to help train Certified Compulsive Gambling Counselors.
• Articles on problem and compulsive gambling published frequently in employee and retailer newsletters.