OLYMPIA -- The season-ending NCAA basketball tournament brings together the nation's finest collegiate basketball players, their most dedicated fans – and a surprising number of gamblers, some of them fighting an addictive urge to bet.

An unhealthy fixation with gambling can lead to losing your home, family and friends, crime and even suicide – but many problem gamblers are hard-pressed to break free without help.

Even the ever-present NCAA tournament office pool can be a problem for someone at risk for gambling addiction – and for a few young people, it may be an entry point that leads to years of gambling fixation.

Experts agree that gambling problems are on the increase, especially with easier access to gambling through casinos, televised poker, and the Internet. Betting on college sports has undergone tremendous increases in recent years, with one in ten of us making some kind of tournament bracket bet this month.

What can you do? Parents should watch for signs like mood swings, asking for money more frequently, going without meals or dropping grades. Friends and family should be concerned about gamblers who don't seem to be in control of their wagering, who lose more than they can afford, or who aren't telling the truth about how much they gamble.

For yourself, ask the same kinds of questions -- and think about handling this year's March Madness in a safer way this year:

• Don't bet at all, or bet a soft drink or a pizza, not money.
• Set limits before you start.
• Never bet more than you can afford to lose.
• Don't expect or try to recoup losses.
• Discuss your bet with your spouse or partner first.
• If you or someone you know needs help with a gambling problem, call the Gambling Helpline any time: 1-800-547-6133.

Help for problem gamblers

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help can be found by calling the Problem Gambling Helpline toll-free 24/7 at 1-800-547-6133. Help is available for family members as well as for the gambler.