Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Rockford Urban Ministries will host a free community concert and gambling addiction resource fair on Thursday to provide an alternative to the opening of Hard Rock Casino Rockford.

The event goes from noon to 1 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at The Schreiner Center for Peace and Justice, 201 S. Seventh St., at Inscape Collective in Midtown.

The social justice and advocacy nonprofit group said it wants to provide an event away from a high-pressure gambling environment where guests can listen to music and learn about ways to support people with gambling addictions.

“It’s important for everyone in the Rockford region to become better informed about gambling addiction resources because more of our neighbors and loved ones are going to be impacted by the negative aspects of significantly increased access to gambling,” the Rev. Violet Johnicker, executive director of Rockford Urban Ministries, said in a news release. “The casino will profit from those who can least afford it in our community, and we want everyone to know there are support systems in place if gambling is harmful for you.”

The community concert will showcase local musicians, featuring singer and songwriter Trina Sulita.

Remedies Renewing Lives will be on site to share resources.  Anyone struggling with a gambling problem can call 815-547-4502 for local support.

The National Council on Problem Gambling also offers an online chat option at ncpgambling.org or by text to the number 800GAM.

The council estimates that the annual national social cost of problem gambling is $14 billion when factoring in gambling-related criminal justice and health care spending, as well as job loss and other consequences.