Fewer Missouri residents are admitting to financial problems due to gambling.  That's according to a Missouri Department of Health survey that shows a roughly 16% drop from 2004 to 2007.

However, a Joplin addiction counselor says he has not seen a decrease in patients locally.

Dr. Michael Londe says has seen a 25% increase of problem gamblers coming to his door seeking help.

He says that most problem gamblers do not admit that they have a problem until they are heavy in debt.

Dr. Londe is Executive Director of Tri-Star Counseling in Joplin and says that gambling addiction is number 2 on his list of clients he sees for help, the number one problem being meth abuse.

Londe says breaking the gambling addiction is a long road to success.

"It is a psychological process," Dr. Londe explains.  "You have to look at the underlying issues that have got them hooked on that process.  Look at the losses and see how they are going to deal with those losses, and just getting that person comfortable with not being at the casino."

The state of Missouri survey shows that 44 percent of Missouri residents gambled within the last year.

Dr. Londe says that 75% to 80% of adults will gamble at least once in their lifetime, contributing to the $70 billion industry.