BOSTON-There is a significant increase in calling for help with offline and online gambling problems,the main problem is sports betting.The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) expressed.
“I left out of there with nothing in my pocket,” says Boston resident and recovering gambling addict Tony Brewer.
Large increase in calls for help
Between 2022 and 2023, the state’s gambling helpline experienced a staggering 121% surge in calls for assistance, as reported by the Department of Public Health (DPH).
Brewer, reflecting on his past experiences, recalled his own struggles with gambling, particularly during the 1980s when it was illegal. He confessed to feeling out of control but managed to stop gambling out of fear. Despite his personal resolution, Brewer observed the expansion of gambling activities over the years. He expressed concern about individuals succumbing to the allure of gambling and ending up with nothing.
Specifically, in 2022, only six callers cited sports betting as their reason for seeking help, but by 2023, this figure skyrocketed to 73, marking a dramatic 1,117% increase.
Why have the numbers gotten so high?
The increase in calls to the state’s gambling helpline can be attributed to several factors, according to the Department of Public Health (DPH).
Public awareness
They cite improved access to helplines due to public awareness campaigns and statewide education initiatives.
Individual willingness
Odessa Dwarika, the program director for the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health, emphasizes that the rise in calls indicates a growing comfort among individuals in seeking help for gambling-related issues.
Development of online sports betting
In Massachusetts, where access to gambling is abundant with a flourishing lottery, multiple large casinos, and now sports betting, the temptation to engage in risky behavior is heightened. Dwarika warns that sports betting, in particular, can exacerbate gambling problems as individuals may become more emotionally invested and prone to chasing losses.
Responsible Online Gaming Association
The formation of the Responsible 在线游戏 Association by seven major U.S. online gaming operators, pledging $20 million to promote responsible gaming practices through research and education, highlights a concerted effort to address the issue.
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