Cities Of Gold Casino

If you are concerned about your own gambling, or if you are worried about someone you care about who frequents the Cities of Gold Casino or the Sports Bar Race Book and Casino, we can provide help or get you answers.

Free Responsible Gaming Counseling

Counselor: Shannon Lunsford, MA, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor

Call: 505-455-9152

Emergency Number: 505-690-7046

The Pueblo of Pojoaque is committed to increasing public awareness of the incidence of problem gambling and providing treatment services and referrals for compulsive gamblers and their families.

1. Choose to gamble for entertainment purposes only. If gambling no longer feels like an enjoyable activity, then ask yourself, “Why am I
playing?”
2. Treat the money you lose as the cost of your entertainment. Treat any winnings as a bonus.
3. Set a dollar limit and stick to it. Before you gamble, choose how much you will spend and therefore afford to lose. If you lose - stick to
your decision and leave.
4. Decide how much time you want to allow for gambling, and whether you are winning or losing, leave when you reach the time limit you’ve
set for yourself.
5. Expect to lose - the house always has the advantage, and you will most likely lose your money.
6. Make it a private rule not to use your credit line to gamble. DO NOT borrow money to gamble.
7. Maintain balance in your life. Gambling should not interfere with, or substitute for friends, family, work or other worthwhile activities.
8. Avoid “chasing” lost money. The vast majority of the time, the more you try to recoup your losses, the larger your losses will become.
9. If you are feeling emotional or physical pain - choose not to gamble. Gambling for reasons other than entertainment can lead to problems.
10.Educate yourself about the signs and symptoms of problem gambling. The more you know, the better choices you will make.

The term “Problem Gambling” includes, but is not limited to the condition known as “Compulsive”, or “Pathological” Gambling and underage gambling. Compulsive gambling is defined as, “the inability to resist impulses to gamble, resulting in negative personal, social and vocational consequences.” The compulsive gambler becomes so addicted that s/he can not break the cycle of addiction and continues to gamble despite increasingly negative consequences. Although most gamblers will not show identical signs and symptoms of addiction, due to differences in gender, age and cultural factors, most will:
•Use gambling as a coping mechanism, called “Escape/Relief” to calm nerves, forget worries and mask deeper emotional pain.
•Rely on the excitement of gambling to feel good.
•Wager higher amounts to win back their losses.
•Believe they can get out of debt with a big win.
•Lie about money and hide their gambling from family and friends.
•Have financial problems caused by gambling.

People with gambling problems typically go through four phases, progressing from recreational gambling to problem gambling and finally to gambling addiction. Each phase can last from months to years.
Winning phase - This phase often starts with a big win, leading to excitement and a positive view of gambling. Problem gamblers believe they have a special talent for gambling and that the winning will continue. They begin spending greater amounts of time and money on gambling.
Losing phase – Problem gamblers become more and more preoccupied with gambling. They start to gamble alone, borrow money, skip work, lie to family and friends, and default on debts. They also begin to “chase” their losses: gambling in order to win back lost money.
Desperation phase – Problem gamblers lose all control over their gambling. They feel ashamed and guilty after gambling, but they can’t stop. They may cheat or steal to finance their addiction. The consequences of compulsive gambling catch up with them: they may lose their jobs, get divorced, or get arrested.
Hopeless phase – In the hopeless phase, problem gamblers hit “rock bottom.” They don’t believe that anyone cares or that help is possible. They don’t even care if they live or die. They may abuse drugs and alcohol to numb the pain. Many problem gamblers also consider or attempt suicide.

Have you ever gambled longer than you had planned?
Have you ever gambled until your last dollar was spent?
Have thoughts about gambling caused you to lose sleep?
Have you used your income or savings to gamble while letting bills go unpaid?
Have you made repeated, unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling?
Have you broken the law or considered breaking the law to finance your gambling?
Have you borrowed money to finance your gambling?
Have you felt depressed or suicidal because of your gambling losses?
Have you been remorseful after gambling?
Have you argued about your gambling behavior with people you care?
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS ANSWERED YES TO ONE OR MORE OF THE ABOVE QUESTIONS, CONSIDER CALLING US FOR HELP.
24-HOUR SUPPORT LINE: 1-505-690-7046

Pueblo of Pojoaque Responsible Gambling Program
24 Hour Support and Information Line: 505-690-7046, or Office: 505-455-9152.
The Pueblo of Pojoaque’s Responsible gaming program offers individual, family and group counseling services for problem gamblers, their families and communities. By providing community education and resources, the Pueblo of Pojoaque strives to ameliorate the negative consequences of problem gambling, thus ensuring the communities health and vitality. All counseling services are provided by Certified Gambling Counselors. When appropriate, other services include intervention and referrals to local, or out of state, inpatient and outpatient treatment providers.

New Mexico Council on Problem Gambling
24-hour support and information line: 1-800-572-1142
The New Mexico Council on Problem Gambling (NMCPG) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help compulsive gamblers and their families. They provide crisis intervention via their state-wide 24-hour, bilingual, gambling hotline. Callers may share their personal information or remain anonymous if they prefer. Callers in need of counseling can be referred to licensed, certified gambling counselors throughout the state of New Mexico or to community providers in bordering states. Services are free and confidential.
nmcpg.org

National Council on Problem Gambling
24-hour support and information line: 1-800-522-4700
The National Council on Problem Gambling is the National advocate for programs and services which assist problem gamblers and their families. The mission of the NCPG is to increase public awareness of pathological gambling, ensure the widespread availability of treatment for problem gamblers and their families, and to encourage ongoing research and programs for prevention and education. Services are free and confidential.
ncpgambling.org

The Evolution Group Inc.
505-242-6988 ext. 112

The Evolution Group offers an intensive outpatient treatment program specifically designed for individuals, dealing with the complex and painful consequences of compulsive gambling. Individual, group, and family counseling services, specific to problem gambling are also offered. Services are free and confidential.
theevolutiongroup.com

Native American Treatment Track for Recovery
1-505-242-6988
The Evolution Group offers a specialized, compulsive gambling treatment track for Native Americans. The vision of this program is to promote integrity and well being within a multi-cultural treatment context.
theevolutiongroup.com

Integrity Recovery House
1-505-242-6988

The Integrity Recovery House is a residential treatment facility for compulsive gamblers. It is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and provides a structured lifestyle for the problem gambler while they receive individual and group counseling, learn and practice healthy living skills such as, money management and participation in the 12- step recovery principles of Gamblers Anonymous.
www.integrityrecoveryhouse.com

Gamblers Anonymous
505-260-7272

Gamblers Anonymous is a self supporting fellowship of men and women. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling. There are no dues or fees. For information about local groups in your area call: 1-213-386-8789.
www.gamblersanonymous.org

Gam-Anon

Gam-Anon
 is a self-help organization that offers support for family members and friends whose lives have been affected by the compulsive gambling of their friends, family and community members. This organization is founded on spiritual principles. Find a meeting in your area by visiting their website.
www.gam-anon.org

Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico
 (RGANM)

The Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico is made up of representatives of Tribal Casinos that work together to create awareness of 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.
www.rganm.org