Problem Gambling Treatment Centers Prepared For March Madness

March Madness is a time of year when even people who do not gamble regularly are inclined to fill out a bracket or two. This year, that temptation could be even stronger because of the state of the economy in the US.

Problem gambling treatment centers around the US have prepared their counsellors for what could be an increase in problem gambling cases this month. The NCAA Tournament will be at the base of most of these cases.

"This time of year is a time when people who gamble on a regular basis increase their bets,' said observer Timothy Treighton, "and at the same time, people who know nothing about college basketball may place bets simply because the games are constantly being highlighted on national television."

Gambling hot lines regularly see an increase in calls during the month of March. The month also is one of the biggest of the year for sportsbooks, mainly due to the amount of games that are being played in a short period of time.

"With games running almost the entire day from Thursday all the way through Sunday, there are plenty of options for bettors who are following the tournament," said an attendant at a popular Las Vegas sportsbook, "as the tournament moves along, we start seeing less and less action from the casual gamblers."

This year it is even more important that the problem gambling treatment centers be prepared. Office bracket pools are popular because with seeding in place for the tournament, anyone can feel they have a chance to win.

The economy will almost certainly cause people to take a chance to win extra money. The small entry fees that accompany most of these pools make it affordable for many, but still there is a risk of a person going too far.

March 21, 2009
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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