A message from the CCGP

The Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the National Council on Problem Gambling. Its purpose is to educate and disseminate information on compulsive gambling and to facilitate referrals.

The Pennsylvania Council provides speakers, workshops, seminars, and information on this public health problem to business, industry and labor groups, schools and colleges, health care and treatment facilities, and to community and religious organizations.

Happy Valley Casino feels it is its Community Obligation to support guests who are or may become compulsive gamblers

Compulsive gambling is a treatable illness, but some people may have difficulties realizing this. Happy Valley Casino has partnered with the CCGP to create a robust Compulsive Gambling Program to support its customers and the local community who currently are or may potentially struggle with gambling addiction.  

Potential Warning Signs

1. Gambling more than planned

2. Trouble paying bills/debts

3. Lying about where money goes

4. Borrowing to continue gambling

5. Chasing losses

6. Problems at home, work, or school

10 Tips for safer gambling

1. If you choose to gamble, do so for entertainment purposes. 
if your gambling is no longer an enjoyable activity then ask yourself why you are still "playing"?

2. Treat the money you lose as the cost of your entertainment.
Treat any winnings as a bonus.
3. Set a dollar limit and stick to it. 
Decide before you go what you can "afford" to lose & how much you want to spend. Do not change your mind after losing.
4. Set a time limit and stick to it. 
Decide how much of your time you want to allow for gambling. Leave when you reach the time limit whether you are winning or losing.
5. Expect to lose. 
The odds are that you will lose.
6. Make it a private rule not to gamble on credit. 
Do not borrow money to gamble.
7. Create balance in your life. 
Gambling should not interfere with or substitute for friends, family, work or other worthwhile activities.
8. Avoid "chasing" lost money. 
Chances are the more you try to recoup your losses the larger your losses will be.
9. Don't gamble as a way to cope with emotional/physical pain.
Gambling for reasons other than entertainment can lead to problems.
10. Become educated about warning signs of problem gamling.
The more you know, the better choices you can make.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available.  Please call 1-800-Gambler or Happy Valley Casino for more information.