Responsible Gaming

Mission Statement

Our Mission is to proactively increase public awareness of compulsive gambling, ensuring the availability of treatment providers, and to support research for prevention and education.

Problem gambling is gambling behavior which causes disruptions in any major area of life: psychological, physical, social or vocational. The term "Problem Gambling" includes, but is not limited to, the condition known as "Pathological", or "Compulsive" Gambling, a progressive addiction characterized by increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, "chasing" losses, and loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting, serious, negative consequences. (NCPG-2007)

Phases of the disease:

Winning phase - the gambler experiences one big win or a series of wins. While the gambler is in this phase they believe they cannot lose. They also think they have the system figured out.

Losing phase - this is where the gambler is on a losing streak, they can't stop gambling (chasing losses), borrows money (bailouts) they will try to win back what they lost and fall into debt, they become irritable, restless, and withdrawn.

Desperation phase - this is where the time gambling increases, the gambler alienates from family and friends, and engages in illegal acts (fraud, writing bad checks) to finance their gambling. They may experience hopelessness, and have suicidal thoughts.

Support

Our Goal is to promote and support, to the fullest extent practical, responsible gaming behavior at Sandia Resort and Casino.

Gambling is a form of entertainment. Sometimes adults can get addicted to gambling and lose the ability to stop, and when this happens it is extremely important to seek gambling specific help.

Gamblers Anonymous uses the following twenty questions to help determine gambling problems. Most compulsive gamblers will answer yes to at least 7 of the questions.

Do you or someone you know ever:

1. Did you ever lose time from work due to gambling?
2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
3. Did gambling affect your reputation?
4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?
6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
7. After losing, did you feel that you had to return as soon as possible and win back your losses?
8. After a win, did you have a strong urge to return and win more?
9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?
10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?
11. Have you ever sold anything to finance your gambling?
12. Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures?
13. Did gambling make you careless about the welfare of your family?
14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?
15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?
16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?
17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?
19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?
20. Have you ever considered self-destruction as a result of your gambling?

Available Resources in New Mexico

Sandia Pueblo Social Services:
505-771-5131
The Sandia Social Services, which is mainly for Sandia Pueblo Tribal Members, does have a substance abuse program which deals with a lot of co-morbidity ( the presence of multiple disorders in one individual) and cross addictions including gambling. There are problem gambling certified counselors to address these issues when necessary.

New Mexico Council on Problem Gambling:
nmcpg.org - 1-800-572-1142
The New Mexico Council on Problem Gambling provides treatment services and a 24 hour hotline number.

The Evolution Group Inc:
theevolutiongroup.com - 505-242-6988 ext. 112
The Evolution Group Inc. offers the following services for compulsive gamblers: The Compulsive Gambling Treatment Clinic provides a private and confidential setting where compulsive gamblers and their families both with and without co-occuring mental health and/or substance abuse problems can get high quality treatment. The Integrity Recovery House and the Rainbow House are 6 months extended care facilities for gambling recovery. These treatment facilities offer a supportive environment for gambling addiction, where clients can focus on retaining self-respect, integrity and health.

Self Exclusion: This procedure offers patrons to self exclude from any form of gambling at Sandia Resort & Casino. It is required that patrons come in to fill out the self-exclusion sheet and this can be conducted by contacting any security or by contacting the Responsible Gaming Coordinator at 796-7500 ext.2092

National Council on Problem Gambling:
1-800-522-4700
The National Council on Problem Gambling and its affiliates provide public education, community awareness and clinical training plans for compulsive gambling and underage gambling issues. Individuals can seek help through the council's 24-hour toll free help line. ncpgambling.org

Gamblers Anonymous:
gamblersanonymous.org - 505-260-7272
Gamblers Anonymous is a self supporting fellowship of men and women with the primary purpose are to stop gambling and to help other compulsive gamblers do the same.

Gam-Anon:
gam-anon.org
Gam-Anon is a self-help organization that offers support for family members and friends whose lives has been affected by a compulsive gambler or underage gambler.

Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico (RGANM)
rganm.org
The Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico is made up of representatives of Tribal Casinos that are working together to create awareness on responsible gaming. The purpose of the RGANM is to promote responsible gaming and assist with education, prevention, treatment, and/or research programs in the area of addictive/problem gambling in the state of New Mexico.