Mississippi casino donates $25,000 for gambling education and awareness

30 October 2008

JACKSON, Mississippi -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg recently made a generous donation of $25,000 to the Mississippi Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling (MCPCG) to be used towards compulsive gambling education and awareness for the general public. This donation, which is the fifth from Ameristar, will provide funding for television public service announcements to publicize the 24-hour toll-free help line number that gamblers or family members can call to get information on problem and compulsive gambling. The help line counselors refer callers to Gamblers Anonymous meetings, regional mental health centers, private health care providers and Consumer Credit Counseling Centers.

This donation will also provide funding for MCPCG to host a workshop on compulsive gambling. Gaming employees, addiction counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed professional counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists and psychiatric nurses are invited to attend this workshop.

"Through the collaborative efforts of MCPCG and Ameristar we can provide training and education to the public about this addiction ", said Betty Greer, MCPCG Executive Director.

"Ameristar Casino is committed to social responsibility, and is dedicated to promoting and enforcing responsible gaming practices," said Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg General Manager Adrian Caldwell. "We are pleased to again partner with the Mississippi Council on Problem and Compulsive Gambling in conjunction with our charitable giving program."