AUBURN - From community Bingo Night to Texas Hold 'Em poker tournaments, two-dollar scratch-off tickets to astronomical Lotto jackpots, gambling comes in many seemingly harmless guises.

Experts estimate that more than $90 billion was spent on gambling in 2006 in the U.S. alone - a number that has doubled in only the past five years.

To help educate the community on gambling addiction, which experts say is one of the fastest-growing social concerns in the country, a group of local ministers presented “When the Chips are Down: Recognizing and Addressing Gambling Addiction” at the Auburn

Public Theater on Wednesday night.

The program, led by education specialist Stephen Capozzi of the Finger Lakes Council on Alcoholism and Other Addictions, included the discussion of potential gambling problems, methods for preventing the addiction, and an accompanying Power Point presentation.

“A group of us (ministers) meets every month, and we recently had Stephen speak to us. We all agreed he could present an educational and eye-opening program to the community,” said Rev. Doug Taylor-Weiss of SS. Peter and John Episcopal Church, one of the ministers who organized the event, from the theater prior to Capozzi's talk.

“We want people to recognize (gambling addiction) as a serious problem, and that it may become a much more serious issue down the road.”

The FLCAOA is based in Geneva and serves several neighboring counties and since Cayuga County has no equivalent service, the ministers solicited Capozzi to lead Wednesday's program.

“I believe our society is becoming 'addiction-based,' because everything - sports, technology, entertainment - relies on instant gratification,” he said to begin the program.

Gambling is one of the most difficult addictions to pinpoint, he added, because its symptoms are harder to identify.

“People who drink alcohol or use drugs often show physical signs (of addiction), but gambling is different,” he said. “Unless you have access to someone's bank account, the problem is a lot tougher to spot.”

Warning signs include lack of focus, paranoia, and the need to constantly borrow money, Capozzi said.

“Of course, the best solution is prevention,” he said, noting that people who are at a higher risk should be watched closely if a problem is suspected.

During his talk, Capozzi presented a Power Point presentation with facts and figures that supported his discussion. After the program, the ministers in attendance spoke one-on-one with guests about addiction, gambling or otherwise.

“New York state has one of the highest rates of gambling addiction in the country, because it provides the venues for people to gamble,” Capozzi said. “We (at the council) want people to know how big, and how sneaky, a problem it can be.”

To Learn More

What: Finger Lakes Council on Alcoholism and Other Addictions

Where: 620 W. Washington St., Geneva

For more information, call 789-0310.