Problem gambling highlighted this weekend

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Friday, Jan. 28, 2000 | 12:10 p.m.

The Nevada Council on Problem Gambling said it's holding a conference for nearly 100 mental health professionals and others this weekend in Las Vegas on understanding, assessing and treating problem gambling.

Like a similar conference last year, the event coincides with one of the heaviest betting periods of the year -- Super Bowl weekend.

Carl O'Hare, executive director of the Nevada council, said the number of calls to the group's problem gambling hotline doubled in 1999 to more than 1,800 because of the posting of its HelpLine number at Nevada gaming locations.

People with gambling problems or concerned about someone with a gambling problem can call the Problem Gamblers HelpLine at 800 522-4700 for confidential information and assistance.

In New Jersey, the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey urged people with gambling problems to call its 1-800-GAMBLER helpline. The New Jersey council estimates $4 billion will be bet illegally on the Super Bowl, and says gambling problems often boil over this weekend.