Kane County Health Department hosting webinar on gambling and substance use
The Kane County Health Department, in partnership with the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling, invites community members, behavioral health care providers, and local partners to attend an upcoming webinar focused on the intersection of problem gambling and substance use disorders.
This educational event will highlight how these issues are connected and what can be done to support prevention, treatment and recovery efforts across the community.
The Zoom webinar will be Monday, May 18, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Participants will learn about the connection between problem gambling and substance use, shared risk factors and warning signs, the role of trauma and stigma, and strategies for prevention, treatment and recovery.
Problem gambling and substance use disorders often share common risk factors, including trauma, mental health challenges and social determinants of health. Individuals may also experience both conditions simultaneously or transition from one addiction to another, making awareness and integrated approaches to care critical.
The need for this conversation is especially relevant in Kane County. The county is home to two large casinos, one off-track betting establishment and more than 1,000 video gaming terminals located in bars, restaurants, gas stations and gaming cafes throughout the area.
Online gaming options bring gambling directly into people’s homes and onto their phones, increasing accessibility and making it easier for gambling behaviors to develop and go unnoticed.
According to the Illinois Statewide Gambling and Problem Gambling Needs Assessment, approximately 3.8% of adults experience a gambling problem, while an additional 7.7% are at risk.
Based on these estimates, approximately 15,000 adults in Kane County may currently be experiencing a gambling disorder, with another 30,000 at risk of developing one. These numbers are expected to increase with the expansion of online sports betting and other forms of online gambling, combined with increased marketing and proximity to the city of Chicago.
The financial impact of gambling in Kane County is also significant. In the past year alone, losses from video gaming terminals are estimated to be between $60 million and $100 million, highlighting both the scale of gambling activity and the potential for harm.
“This webinar is an opportunity to better understand how gambling and substance use intersect and how we, as a community, can respond,” said Michael Isaacson, executive director. “Through our partnership with the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling, we are able to bring additional expertise and resources to support education, prevention and recovery efforts.”
This webinar is open to the public and is especially relevant for community members, health care providers, behavioral health professionals, educators and anyone interested in learning more about these important public health issues. Spanish interpretation will be available. For more information and the Zoom link, visit kanehealth.com/Pages/Health-Matters.aspx.