"I have spoken to more compulsive gamblers than anyone else in America over the last 46 years and have gotten hundreds of phone calls after playoff games and the Super Bowl from compulsive gamblers," Wexler says. "Some have spoken about embezzlements, white-collar crimes and destroying themselves and their families. Others were so desperate that they were contemplating suicide. "

" I have also spoken to many college and professional athletes who had a gambling problem," Wexler says. "In fact, an NCAA study a few years ago noted that there is a disturbing trend of gambling among athletes in college. Do you think that these people will get into the pros and then just stop gambling? "

"Compulsive gamblers and even recovering gamblers  are very vulnerable during the NFL post season because of all the media hype.  Gamblers not in recovery are looking for the "get out bet or lock bet,' Wexler says. "The media hype juices the gambler and -- as this is an impulse disorder -- many compulsive gamblers will be in action. And I wonder if any players might have a bet on the games. ! "

"With all the games and the media hype about odds and betting lines, there is an explosion of betting on these games," Wexler continues. "I can't believe that newspapers carry ads from these so-called handicappers, who are really 'scandicappers.' It's also interesting to note how often the information they are selling  is incorrect. "

"I remember years ago when Skip Bayless, then of the Dallas Morning News, had a gorilla in the Dallas Zoo make football picks for them," Wexler says. "The gorilla's picks were doing better than the sports writers.