For the most part, buying a scratch-off lottery ticket or spending the afternoon at the slot machine is a socially acceptable form of recreational release. But for some people, just thinking about games of chance can spark addictive behavior that can ruin careers, destroy families and threaten personal well-being.

With gambling establishments in downtown Buffalo, Hamburg, Batavia, Salamanca and Niagara Falls, NY - and right across the border in Fort Erie and Niagara Falls, Ontario - life in Western New York can be double jeopardy for this population.

"We are surrounded by casinos and gambling establishments, aside from the state lottery. So gambling is very, very prevalent here," says Mary McConnell, Ph.D., a licensed social worker and JFS Gambling Recovery Program (GRP) counselor.

"A problem gambler often starts with a big win that blows their mind. They think 'Oh, I can do this again!' So if they need rent money and they haven't got anywhere near the rent money again, they take what they have and go to the casino hoping to win the rent money," McConnell explains.

"Now they've just spent the food money. Oh well... take the electric money to try and get back the food money. Gambling is as devastating as drugs and alcohol. Absolutely."