Southwest Virginia holds first Problem Gambling Prevention Conference [Video]

ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) — The Southwest Virginia Region Three Wellness Council hosted its first-ever Problem Gambling Prevention Conference at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center on Wednesday.

Several stakeholders in the gambling industry were there, including a representative from Hard Rock International, which is constructing its casino in Bristol, and the Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling.

The National Council on Problem Gambling said 2.5 million people in the U.S. meet the criteria of having a severe gambling problem. Gambling in Virginia is growing faster than almost any other state.

Devin Perdue of Pulaski, Virginia, said he knows firsthand how gambling addiction can destroy lives, as it almost destroyed his. That’s why he was a keynote speaker at Wednesday’s Problem Gambling Prevention Conference.

“It got so out of control it destroyed my finances, my family,” he said. “It almost destroyed my marriage and even to a point …