U.S. House bill proposes to study online gambling

House Bill 2140 was introduced to the United States House of Representatives on May 3, 2007, with the intention to "provide for a study by the National Academy of Sciences to identify the proper response of the United States to the growth of Internet gambling."

Among many other issues, the study would include:
Section 3a.(2C): " a determination of the impact of Internet gambling on minors and compulsive gamblers and the availability of regulatory and technological safeguards to prevent or mitigate these impacts;"

Full text of the bill (H.R. 2140) may be viewed here.

Thanks to Bill Ursel of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Saskatchewan, for this update.

Blog incentive quiz -- for a $5 Starbucks gift card

Remember how you first were getting acquainted with email or the Internet? Now, it's part of everyday life. Blogs, like any form of change, can be a little daunting at first. Even the word 'blog' can send shivers of terror among some.

In order to encourage use of this form of 'anywhere' and interactive communication, we're offering an incentive. Take some time to surf around and get yourself acquainted with the blog. Look at who's a fellow author, related web links, post topics (or 'labels'), and the articles themselves. Then answer the four questions in the quiz below.

Send your quiz responses to Wendy Hausotter at Wendy.Hausotter@state.or.us. If you're one of the first five respondents, you'll get a FREE $5 Starbucks gift card!

THE QUIZ:

1. How many posts are under the label "Tips for Parents/Educators"? What are the subjects of these posts?

2. If you weren't sure or don't remember how to log in & post an item to the blog, what could you click within the blog to get help?

3. Now, try logging in using your username (your full email address) and password (which is, unless you changed it, a word that rhymes with 'retention'). Once you've logged in, click 'view blog' and post a comment to ANY one of the articles/posts in the blog.

4.What are the primary barrier(s) that you may have with using this blog?

Thanks!

Remember to send your quiz responses to Wendy.Hausotter@state.or.us if you want one of those gift cards!

Nightline story on gambling in Oregon

On May 3, ABC Nightline aired a story on gambling in Oregon.

View the video:
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/story?id=3135235&page=1

Comments?

Argus Observer story: "Problem gambling awareness art contest"

Argus Observer (Ontario, Oregon) May 3, 2007

Problem gambling awareness art contest

"Ontario - Problem gambling harms more than 10,000 Oregon teens and 75,000 Oregon adults. There was a search for “calendar” artwork from middle school students to promote Oregon Problem Gambling Awareness."

For the complete article, click here.

In-School Problem Gambling Prevention Handout

To: In-school prevention folks.
It looks like I'll have a one-shot opportunity to give a one-page (double-sided) handout of information to public Middle and Jr. High School students in the county this school year. I'm wondering what would be a best choice. I'm thinking I could use the Oregon DHS "Gambling is Risky Business. Know the Odds" brochure for youth (Publication DHS 91062). But, I'd like to add information about setting healthy limits into the white space at the end of the brochure. The content I'm thinking of adding is set out below. The symbols to the left of each point are really bullets (didn't translate well into the blog format).
What do you think about this idea? Do you have a better idea?
Mary Ann

Setting Healthy Limits

Guidelines for responsible gambling:

• Gamble only for fun.
• Use only fun money (like you would if you went bowling or to a movie).
• Think of the money you lose as the cost of your entertainment.
• Set a dollar limit and stick to it.
• Set a time limit and stick to it.
• Accept losing as part of the game.
• Don’t borrow money to gamble.
• Don’t let gambling interfere with family, friends, school, or work.
• Don’t gamble to win back losses.
• Don’t use substances that impair your decision making.
• Don’t use gambling as a way to cope with emotional or physical pain.
• Know the law on underage gambling.
• Talk to a counselor if you think you have a problem.
  

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