What Are The Odds: Recent Episodes

Finger Lakes Problem Gambling Resource Center

A podcast that goes in-depth on problem gambling as a topic, produced as a partnership between the Finger Lakes Problem Gambling Resource Center and FingerLakes1.com. New episodes released monthly.

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In this month's segment of, What Are the Odds, we will be talking about Mobile Sports Betting, what it is, and what are the concerns and risks related to it. Our host Elizabeth Toomey will be joined by Jeffrey Wierzbicki. Jeffrey is from the Western Problem Gambling Resource Center and is an expert in the education around Mobile Sports Betting.

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On this month's segment of  What Are The Odds, host Elizabeth Toomey will be joined by Scott Meyers. Scott is a Certified Peer Recovery Coach and will be discussing what  peer recovery is, the benefits and what Scott does as a peer recovery coach

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Host Jenna Hotaling is joined by Christopher Hennelly on this month's What Are The Odds. Christopher is part of The Christopher Group and they talk about gambling and its effects during tax season.

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March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month and host Jenna Hotaling is joined by Mark Ostrowski from Tioga Downs. They discuss voluntary self-exclusion as a tool for those who have a problem gambling too frequently. 

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Problem gambling has a direct impact on loved ones.  Carl D. joins host Jenna Hotaling for this episode of "What Are The Odds" to discuss how his gambling addiction negatively impacted his loved ones.  His story comes full circle as he discusses how his recovery has helped transform his life and relationships with his loved ones.

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Host Jenna Hotaling is joined by Michelle Hadden, the Assistant Executive Director of the New York Council Problem Gambling.  They discuss the influx of promotional pieces in addition to the start of mobile sports betting in New York State, the unequal playing field of advertising compared to the sports betting companies and rising awareness of resources available to the public.

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Mental health and problem gambling are intracately connected. Beth McGee, Executive Director of NAMI Finger Lakes joins Jenna Hotaling on this month's edition of 'What Are The Odds'. 

The podcast dives into the link between the two and the ways people can find the right resources to get help in the region.

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On this episode of What Are The Odds host Jenna Hotaling is joined by Kevin Curtin, PhD, LMHC, who is with the Finger Lakes Problem Gambling Resource Center. He's a clinician in Steuben County- and brings decades of experience treating those with various issues such as mental health and substance use disorders. He's also the Associate Professor of Counseling at Alfred University.

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On this episode of What Are The Odds host Jenna Hotaling is joined by Robin Singh, Team Leader of Queens PGRC to talk about the rise of cryptocurrency and other bitcoin trends. The two talk about the relationship with gambling. 

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This month on the podcast Jenna Hotaling returns with a conversation with a local stakeholder talking about the work being done by the Problem Gambling Resource Center. This podcast takes a monthly dive into the issues surrounding problem gambling- and the ways to get help locally.

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March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month and that means a special episode of 'What Are The Odds'. This month host Jenna Hotaling is joined by other stakeholders to talk about the ways to get help. They also walk us through the process and how a conversation can go with the Resource Center. The goal is to show listeners how easy it can be to get help.

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Super Bowl Weekend is coming; and this week on the show the Finger Lakes Problem Gambling Resource Center is focusing a conversation on Sports Betting and Problem Gambling. Sarah, who you heard in an earlier episode of What Are The Odds, talks with Todd Harrison Associate Professor and Chair, Sport Management Department at St. John Fisher College. Todd and Sarah talk about gambling - in particular sports betting among young adults, and how it's impacted the community he sees every day.

It's a timely/important conversation because of the carry-over effects, as we are likely to see the legalization of mobile sports betting in New York State this year. While it hasn't been finalized - lawmakers and Governor Andrew Cuomo have signaled serious interest in expanding what is legal in New York. 

Don't forget to subscribe to the show if you haven't. Rate it five stars if you're listening on Apple Podcasts. And if you want to learn more about the resource center check them out on their brand new Instagram page! Search Finger Lakes PRGC to find them.

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It's the holiday season and one of the most-common stocking stuffers is scratch off lottery tickets. However, this month's episode of What Are The Odds looks at the implications of this stocking stuffer, and how it can have an ill-effect on kids. Host Jenna Hotaling talks with Karen Burncroff, Community Educator for United Way of Seneca County and her son Casey, a local 10th grader, about gambling among teens. If you're a parent - how can you start a conversation about gambling? And should these conversations happen as often with kids as they do about alcohol and drugs? These questions and more on this edition of What Are The Odds.

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A conversation with John Owens Jr., a Rochester native in recovery from a gambling addiction. He's an active member in Gambler's Anonymous and is a big advocate for the Finger Lakes Problem Gambling Resource Center.

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On Episode #2 of What Are The Odds a look at the referral process, and the many ways that the Finger Lakes Problem Gambling Resource Center can help. Jenna Hotaling and Sarah Bryant from the FLPGRC talk about specifics, common questions, and the impact of personal touch on that fragile process.

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What is the Finger Lakes Problem Gambling Resource Center? What does it do? How does it have an impact on problem gambling as a real, human struggle?

Those questions and more are answered on episode #1 of 'What Are The Odds'. It's a new podcast produced in conjunction with the Resource Center and FingerLakes1.com. 

Problem gambling isn't just a financial problem. Estimates from the North American Foundation for Gambling Addiction show that around 10 million people live with a gambling addiction.

The act of gambling itself isn't illegal in most-situations, which makes it easier for people to sometimes justify risky gambling behaviors. 

Today on the program, the launch of 'What Are The Odds' with Jenna Hotaling. 

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Welcome to What Are The Odds. This podcast dives into problem gambling and the advocacy work being done by the Finger Lakes Problem Gambling Resource Center. It's hosted by Jenna Hotaling. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Community Health and is a Certified Health Education Specialist. She serves as Team Leader for the Resource Center and leads outreach and awareness efforts, as well as community education. 

And that is a lot of what you'll get with this program, which is a co-production of the Resource Center and FingerLakes1.com. 

Monthly conversations with experts, community members, advocates, and personal experiences with those impacted by problem gambling. It will be a journey; and we hope you join us on it. 

Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or where ever you listen to shows like this one.