The Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling has ushered in Responsible Gaming Education Week with the goal of heightening awareness about the dangers associated with out of control gambling and the fact help is available for those with the gambling addiction.

Alliance spokesman Gary Gonder says that while most people who gamble walk away from casinos without any trouble, some Missourians experience problems.

"The statistics go something like .5 to 1 percent of adults are considered compulsive or pathological gamblers," said Gonder in an interview with the Missourinet. "But more importantly, up to 5 percent are problem gamblers, which means they’re approaching a pathological behavior."

The first step in getting that help is a call to 1-888-BETSOFF – (1-888-238-7633).

"We, last year, received a little over 1900 calls to our hotline," said Gonder. "It doesn’t sound like a lot of calls, but those people were either sent to Gamblers Anonymous or maybe they were referred to the free problem gambling assistance that’s available in Missouri, not only for the gambler but to the gambler’s family members."

While 1-888-BETSOFF is a national help effort, calls made from Missouri are answered in St. Louis by people who are aware of additional help available in this state.

"Over 25 percent of the calls we get every month are from family members or friends," said Gonder. "Trying to figure out what they can do to get their family member into some treatment."

Counselors for problem gamblers are provided free of charge through a small fee paid by Missouri’s casino operators.

Missouri is a national leader in problem gambling programs and was the first state to hold a statewide awareness week.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)

The campaign is called "Yes for Schools First", but the proposal set for the November ballot would benefit the gambling casinos of Missouri by removing the last remaining regulation approved by voters in 1992.

"Yes for Schools First" spokesman, Anne Marie Moy, tells the Missourinet that if the initiative passes this November, it will provide an extra $100 million for schools.

"It’s going to do that by increasing the state tax casinos pay to 21%," says Moy, "and by updating some outdated regulations."

Moy is referring to the $500 loss limit voters approved when they authorized riverboat gambling in Missouri. It’s the only regulation left from the 1992 initiative that approved gambling in Missouri. There are no cruises anymore. The boats aren’t even boats. They’re riverside casinos.

Casinos have been unsuccessful in pushing the legislature to lift the loss limit, so they have decided to turn to the voters. In exchange for lifting the loss limit, the casino gambling tax will increase from 20% to 21%. Another factor in this initiative:  no more casinos will be allowed in Missouri.

We asked Moy if calling the initiative "Yes for Schools First" might be misleading, since it seems to benefit the boats the most.

"Well, you know, the Schools First initiative is going to do a lot of important things," Moy replies, "The name of our initiative underscores the most important thing it’s going to do and that is to generate more than $100 million a year a year for Missouri schools."

It is estimated $105-to-130 million as well as $5-to-7 million for higher education, early childhood development, veterans and others, if voters approve what the legislature has so far rejected. 

Download/listen Brent Martin reports (1:20 MP3)