News writer
An estimated 4-6 million Americans suffer from a gambling disorder and experience problems as a result of their gambling behavior. March has been designated as Problem Gambling Awareness Month for more than 20 years.
The nationwide grassroots campaign is designed to raise awareness of gambling addiction and promote prevention and support, treatment, and recovery services for people whose lives are affected.
As in previous years, this March, state lotteries throughout the country will be promoting problem gambling awareness through various activities and platforms, including direct communications to players and lottery retailers, billboard messaging, radio spots, and digital and social media messages.
This is an extension of the support that state lotteries provide throughout the year by donating a percentage of their lottery revenue to support the treatment and recovery of problem gambling. Many states, such as Illinois, also offer educational and interactive tools to help player keep their lottery play positive, such as a Track Your Play Calculator and Positive Play videos. Other states, such as the Pennsylvania Lottery, also offer interventionist tools such as setting limits, cool-off periods, and self-exclusion for a six-month, one-year, or five-year period.
What is problem gambling?
Problem gambling is an uncontrollable desire to gamble despite the negative impact it is having on a person's life. Gambling addiction can not only result in loss of money and increasing debt but can also cause physical and mental health issues and problems with family, friends, and work colleagues. Anyone who gambles can be at risk of developing a gambling problem. Here are some warning signs of problem gambling:
- Obsessively thinking about gambling.
- Feeling an urge to wager money more and more often.
- Feeling irritable or anxious when trying to avoid gambling.
- Keeping gambling to try and win money back.
- Gambling despite heavy money losses.
National Gambling Disorder Screening Day
National Gambling Disorder Screening Day took place on March 12, 2024. Even though problem gambling leads to financial, mental, physical, social, and occupational issues in many cases, it goes unnoticed and untreated. One of the reasons this happens is because of the limited availability of screening for problem gambling. Gambling Disorder Screening Day aims to address this issue. It is a grassroots event designed to raise awareness of the harm that a gambling disorder can cause, to offer support, and to encourage healthcare providers and counselors to provide screening tests for gambling disorders in a range of different settings. Screening Day occurs annually on the second Tuesday of Problem Gambling Awareness Month.
If you or a loved one is having problems with gambling, you can find more resources on our Play Responsibly page or reach out to the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-877-9GAMBLE. The helpline is a 24-hour service that puts callers in touch with information, support, and counseling. You can also live chat with Helpline staff at AreYouReallyWinning.org or by texting "GAMB" to 833234.
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