When former Westfall Schools treasurer Scott Glandon was sentenced to three years in prison Wednesday and ordered to pay more than $20,000 in restitution for theft while in office, he inadvertently helped shine a spotlight on an even bigger issue.

"My intention was never to steal the money," Glandon told the court by way of explanation for his answers. "I was trying to cover up an addiction that I have been battling for years.

"I had a very serious problem. I was a desperate man trying to cover up my addiction. I know what I did was wrong."

That addiction - the lure of online gambling. Part of the problem - it's sometimes difficult to gauge the extent of the problem within a community.Locally, the Scioto Paint Valley Mental Health Center said it has received only four calls in the past year regarding gambling addictions of any kind. That, however, doesn't mean the problem doesn't exist in Ross County.

According to Shahaa Alam, a crisis worker at the center, often many addiction problems go unreported. And for those few that are reported to the center in connection with gambling problems, the office has to refer people to online help centers and and those based out of town because of a lack of such support systems locally.

The closest gambling help organization to the Scioto Valley is the Gam-Anon hotline based in Cincinnati, Alam said.

"To our knowledge, nothing exists in Ross County or the surrounding counties (to provide organized help for gamblers)," Alam said.

Gambling addiction in general long has been a problem for a certain segment of society. Whether it has meant risking the monthly rent check at a casino or spending hundreds of dollars a month on lottery tickets or not being able to enjoy a sporting event unless there's a lot of money riding on the outcome, it has shown the ability to break up families and lead to questionable and even criminal decision-making in those who are compulsive gamblers.

With the increased accessibility offered by online gambling, however, the stakes are increased yet again. It's far more convenient to get hooked up with an online game than to go searching outside the home for one, and the ability to play longer and at any hour of the day only increases the possibility for greater losses.

And there is a greater appeal to younger potential participants who may gravitate toward games using the technology they grew up with rather than having to sit around a poker table someplace.

According to the National Council for Problem Gambling, a compulsive gambler is one who becomes increasingly preoccupied with gambling, has a need to bet more money on a more frequent basis, has a tendency to "chase" losses thinking they can make up for them and who can't stop gambling despite negative consequences in other aspects of their life.

Like many addictions, the addict may not recognize they have a problem. To get help, it often requires a friend or family member recognizing the trouble signs.

So what can you look for to spot a possible compulsive gambler in your life? According to eHow Inc., an online information site, excessive money being directed toward various forms of gambling, a desire to spend time gambling over work, family or other hobbies, excessive cash advances on credit cards or personal loans from friends and severe mood swings or insomnia may indicate a serious gambling problem. HelpGuide.org, another online information site, adds to the list lying to friends and family members about behavior, putting personal relationships significantly at risk and committing illegal acts such as forgery, fraud or embezzlement to cover gambling losses.

Gamblers Anonymous has a 20-question test for people who think they may have a gambling addiction. Those who take the test and can answer "yes" to seven of the questions likely have a problem that needs help.

Among some of the questions:

• Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?
• Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?
• Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?
• Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?
• Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?
• Have you ever considered self-destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?

More studies/stories on the negative effects of gambling.

The complete 20-question test can be found at www.helpguide.org/mental/gambling_addiction.html