Problem gambling is one of the prevention priority areas chosen by Sieda Community Action, Behavioral Health, and Treatment Services through the Integrated Provider Network grant from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. Strategies include workplace policies and media campaigns that target community norms to increase awareness of the problem, and provide a resource to county residents and local businesses at the population level.

What is Gambling? Gambling is the activity where an individual risks money or other object of value to them in hopes to gain something of value, such as money. People gamble for risk-taking, an adrenaline rush, to have fun, to be social, or to cope with emotions. Some people will turn to gambling to cope with financial problems. Others will gamble to escape from and cope with life.

Anyone can develop a problem with gambling. Race, religion, age, education, income level, or male/female- it doesn’t matter who you are or what you do. You can develop a problem with gambling. Gambling includes buying lottery tickets, gambling at a casino, playing cards or dice for money, betting on sports games, playing slot machines, video poker, r other video gambling, gambling on the internet, betting on horses or dogs, and playing bingo.

Visit the Prevention page for more information: https://www.sieda.org/child-development/comprehensive-prevention/