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You've heard about those struggling with drug addictions or alcoholism.
But gambling problems are often a little more private.
With two gambling boats in the Tri-States, we wondered what policies are in place to protect gamblers--and if they work.
Bob Thursby is the general manager at Terrible's Mark Twain Casino in LaGrange. He's worked in the gaming industry for 25 years. Thursby says the industry has become more proactive at preventing or stopping gambling problems, a decision, he says, that makes perfect business sense.
"I never want you to get in over your head, cause if you come here and lose $500, all of a sudden, you can't make your mortgage payment or pay your bills, you're going to stop coming,'' said Thursby.
Missouri has a buy-in limit that prevents you from spending more than $500 during a two-hour period. But he doesn't think that policy is very effective. Here's why:If someone spends $498 in two hours, they could presumbably come back in a different two-hour increment and spend another $498?
"Yes, they could,'' said Thursby.
Thursby has worked at the LaGrange casino for the past five years. After working in the gambling industry in seven different states, he said there's a lot to be said for smaller casinos.
"You get to know a lot of the players and their habits. I can actually see when people deviate. They're making more trips or they come here more often when I know they should be at work,'' said Thursby. "They come here without their spouse. If they do things that are maybe indications, it enables me and other members of my staff to be able to talk with them and say, 'Do you have a problem? Do you think you should take a break?'"
And if you do, Thursby said he and his staff want to help. KHQA askedThursby about other state policies in place to help gamblers who have a problem.
Most of them are voluntary. You've probably heard advice on radio ads to call 1-888-BETS OFF if you think you have a problem.
Spouses and friends can also call that number to get advice if they suspect someone else has a problem.
Thursby says trained professionals can steer you in the right direction, either to counseling or even getting banned from a gaming facility.
However, you cannot ban someone else from casinos. That decision has to come from the gambler.
Here's another option we found that you may not know about: Thursby told me about what's called the "disassociated persons list." That's a voluntary list in which people can get banned fromall Missouri casinos for life.
Once you're on that list, there's no turning back. And there are consequences.
Even if you put yourself on that list, Thursby said you should still seek counseling.
He also said gambling addictions are an equal opportunity problem. They can affect anyone regardless of income, background, gender or race.
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