Joanne Collins To Chair Problem
Gambling Alliance
Joanne Collins, a member of the Board of Commissioners for the Port Authority
of Kansas City, recently was named chairperson of the Missouri Alliance to
Curb Problem Gambling, a group of public, private and non-profit organizations
that work together on issues related to gambling.
Collins, a former member of Kansas City's City Council, was elected for the
one-year term last week to replace outgoing chairperson Kevin Mullally,
executive director of the Missouri Gaming Commission. Keith Spare, president
of the Missouri Council on Problem Gambling Concerns Inc., was named vice
chairperson of the Alliance. Spare is the program director at Samuel U.
Rodgers Health Center in Kansas City.
As chairperson, Collins will oversee the Alliance's participation in the
planning of the Midwest Conference on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse,
Aug. 16-18, in Kansas City.
"Research on problem gambling issues in Missouri is vital to improving the
services currently offered to Missouri residents," Collins said. "Through
a study of the state's Disassociated Persons Program and additional studies
scheduled this year, we hope to learn more on how we can reach out to help
problem gamblers and their families."
Collins said the Alliance will continue to increase its awareness and
educational efforts throughout the state. She also said that the Alliance
is planning to expand its prevention efforts in Missouri schools through
grants currently being offered by the Port Authority of Kansas City.
Collins currently chairs the Port Authority's Problem Gambling Committee.
She served on Kansas City's City Council from 1974 to1991 and currently
is a member of more than 40 not-for-profit organizations. She also holds
presidential, gubernatorial, regional, county and local appointments. She
has worked in the fields of banking, insurance, real estate sales, postal
services and community building.
Members of the Missouri Alliance include: the Port Authority of Kansas City,
the Missouri Council on Problem Gambling Concerns Inc., the Missouri Gaming
Commission, the Missouri Lottery, the Missouri Department of Mental Health
and the Missouri Riverboat Gaming Association.
For more information about the Alliance, visit the Alliance's Web site at:
www.888betsoff.org.
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(1-888-238-7633).
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Compulsive gambling is a behavior disorder in which an individual has an uncontrollable
preoccupation and urge to gamble. This results in excessive gambling, the outcome of
which is loss of time and money.
The gambling reaches the point at which it compromises, disrupts or destroys the
gambler's personal life, family relationships or vocational pursuits. The key
signs are emotional dependence on gambling, loss of control and interference with
normal functioning. |
