Lanie’s Hope is a national advocacy group dedicated to humanizing and illuminating the disease of gambling disorder. Our mission is to serve as a catalyst for social change in problem gambling.
We envision a world in which:
- Compulsive gambling is understood to be a disease versus a moral weakness.
- The compulsive gambler is treated with dignity and compassion.
- Resources and support are available to the afflicted gambler and their loved ones.
Our Story is Unique…Our Disease is Not
Siblings impacted by the disease.
Statistics estimate between 6 and 8 million Americans are afflicted with the disease of disordered gambling. Both founder Bea Aikens and her beloved sister Lanie were impacted by the disease. Bea is in recovery. Sadly, Lanie died as a result of a gambling-related overdose on June 2, 2008. By sharing her personal story and building awareness, Bea is committed to preventing others from experiencing the pain and tragedy gambling addiction causes. She advocates for the rights of problem gamblers and their loved ones to receive support services and treatment for recovery. Read Bea’s story
Catalyst for Change
Lanie’s Hope advocates for problem gamblers and their families. We create social change by building awareness and understanding of problem gambling as a disease that requires professional treatment and merits treatment options in parity with other health issues facing Americans. Read more
Our Purpose is to advocate for social change, enhance understanding and eliminate negative perceptions and bias related to Problem Gambling by:
- Creating national awareness about Compulsive Gambling as a significant public health issue.
- Advancing educational forums that focus on Gambling Disorder as a recognized and treatable disease.
- Promoting compassion over judgment and empathy over condemnation for the Compulsive Gambler.
- Enlisting support from national, state and private enterprises for research and rehabilitation services for anyone impacted by the disease of Gambling Disorder.