A renewed interest in poker and other card games is emerging on college campuses due to the popularity of television shows such as Bravo’s “Celebrity Poker” and ESPN’s broadcast of the Texas Hold ’em championships. However, studies show that this gaming and betting may not be all in good fun and may pose serious consequences to players.According to the May 11, 2004 issue of the “Nashua Telegraph,” “The 18 to 24-year-old age group has some of the highest rates of gambling addictions.” The National Council on Problem Gaming (NCPG) says, “Problem gambling includes all gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits.” A person does not have to gamble every day or lose or win a large amount of money to be addicted. Any person who gambles may become addicted if they do not gamble responsibly or are unaware of the risks.

If a person thinks he has a gambling problem, there are ten questions recommended by the NCPG that he should ask himself:
* Have you often gambled longer than you had planned?
* Have you often gambled until your last dollar was gone?
* Have thoughts of gambling caused you to lose sleep?
* Have you used your income or savings to gamble while letting bills go unpaid?
* Have you made repeated, unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling?
* Have you broken the law or considered breaking the law to finance your gambling?
* Have you felt depressed or suicidal because of your gambling losses?
* Have you ever been remorseful after gambling?
* Have you ever gambled to get money to meet your financial obligations?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you should consider seeking assistance from a professional counselor. If you are still unsure whether you have a gambling problem or addiction, you can take a self-test on the NCPG website at http://www.ncpgambling.org/about_problem_test.asp. You can call the National Problem Gambling HelpLine Network at 1-800-522-4700.

At the Nicholls State Counseling Center, there is “nothing in place at the moment” specifically to meet problem gamblers’ requirements according to Michele Caruso, dean of student services, but individual or group counseling sessions with certified counselors are available.

Approximately two million American adults are estimated to meet criteria for pathological gambling in any given year. Another four million to eight million are considered problem gamblers – they meet one or more of the criteria and are experiencing personal problems due to gambling.