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Poster & Video Contest on Problem Gambling Open to Berks County Students & Seniors

by Council on Chemical Abuse

Mar 23, 2021

The Council on Chemical Abuse is seeking video and poster submissions for a new contest that aims to draw attention to problem gambling and gaming. Deadline to submit is April 9.

The contest is open to all Berks County students in grades 3 through 12, and senior citizens age 60 and up. All entries must reflect the theme, The House Always Wins. The top poster entries will be displayed on billboards throughout the county.

The Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA) has held a gambling-themed poster contest for several years, but this is the first year senior citizens are invited to participate, and the first year the contest has included a video competition.

Any Berks County student in grades 3 through 12 is eligible to participate, including cyber-schooled and home-schooled youth. In addition, any Berks County resident aged 60 and up is also eligible. Submissions will be judged in four age categories: elementary (grades 3-5), middle school (grades 6-9), high school (grades 10-12), and senior citizens.

Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place winners and one honorable mention in each category. The top winners of the poster contest will have their poster displayed on billboards, and first place winners in both the video and poster contests and will receive a $100 Visa gift card, recognition online and four Reading Fightin’ Phils tickets. All other winners will receive gift cards ranging from $25 to $75, as well as other prizes.

The Council on Chemical Abuse is committed to educating youth and seniors about the risks of gambling. The theme, The House Always Wins, seeks to remind people that gambling is big business and reaps huge profits for casinos. While the gambling industry lures players with possibility of big wins, it is, in fact, the house that always wins. In Pennsylvania alone, casinos generate nearly $3 billion a year in revenue.

“Individuals of all ages who participate in gaming and gambling activities must be aware that there are always serious risks involved – loss of money, loss of family and friends, and loss of control over your life,” said Marcia Goodman-Hinnershitz, Director of Planning and Resource Development at COCA.  “The “House” is only concerned about the money it receives, not about the personal losses.”

For complete contest guidelines and submissions visit https://cocaberks.org/2021contest/

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