Kentucky gambling hotline sees increase after legalization of sports betting
WILL SIGN THE LEGISLATION. WELL, MARCH IS KNOWN AS PROBLEM GAMBLING AWARENESS MONTH AFTER SPORTS BETTING BECAME LEGAL IN KENTUCKY JUST LAST FALL. THE LANDSCAPE, AS YOU KNOW, OF GAMBLING ADDICTION IN THE STATE IS NOW CHANGING. JUST NOT IN THE WAY THAT YOU’RE THINKING. WHETHER IT’S FOR THE WINNING LOTTERY TICKET OR MORE RECENTLY, A BET ON THE WINNER OF THE SUPER BOWL. COME ON. GAMBLING HAS BEEN AROUND THROUGHOUT THE HISTORY OF KENTUCKY, BUT SO HAS PROBLEM GAMBLING. THEY’RE A SMALL PERCENTAGE, BUT WHAT THEY DO IN TERMS OF DAMAGE IS, IS SIGNIFICANT. MICHAEL STONE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE KENTUCKY COUNCIL ON PROBLEM GAMBLING, SAYS THE LATEST SURVEY ESTIMATES SHOW THERE ARE ROUGHLY 50 TO 60,000 KENTUCKY ADULTS WITH A GAMBLING ADDICTION, COSTING THE STATE MORE THAN $400 MILLION EVERY YEAR IN SOCIAL SERVICES, UNEMPLOYMENT, CRIME AND BANKRUPTCY. OUR PURPOSE AS A COUNCIL IS NOT TO ADVOCATE FOR GAMBLING OR ADVOCATE AGAINST GAMBLING. IT’S TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE KNOW THAT GAMBLING CAN HAVE AN ADDICTIVE, UH, POSSIBILITY. IT’S PROBLEM GAMBLING AWARENESS MONTH IN STONE SAYS THINGS LOOK A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT IN KENTUCKY. DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE CALLING THE PROBLEM GAMBLING HOTLINE FROM A YEAR AGO A SIGN NOT OF INCREASING ADDICTION, BUT INCREASING AWARENESS. MORE PEOPLE ARE RECOGNIZING THAT IF I’M GAMBLING TO EXCESS, I IT. MAYBE IT’S BECAUSE I’VE GOT SOME KIND OF A PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM RIGHT NOW, THERE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH RESOURCES. MRS. STONE SAYS ROUGHLY 80% OF THE STATE LACKS A LOCAL CERTIFIED COUNSELOR. IT’S NOT GOING TO GO AWAY. SO WE HAVE TO WE HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO, UH, DEAL WITH IT. ALL RIGHT. SO I’M GOING TO GIVE YOU A NUMBER. EASIEST NUMBER EVER TO REMEMBER. IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE IS STRUGGLING WITH PROBLEM GAMBLING, YOU CAN JUST REACH OUT TO ONE 800 G
March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month around the United States and after the legalization of sports betting in Kentucky last fall, the landscape of gambling addiction in the state is changing.Whether it's for the winning lottery ticket or more recently, a bet on the Super Bowl, gambling has been around throughout history in Kentucky.However, so has problem gambling.Executive director of the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling, Michael Stone, said the latest survey estimates that roughly 50,000 adults in Kentucky are dealing with a gambling addiction."They're a small percentage, but what they do in terms of damage is significant," Stone said.That survey cited above says problem gambling is costing the state more than $400 million in social services, unemployment, crime and bankruptcy."Our purpose as a council is not to advocate for gambling or educate against gambling," Stone said. "It's to make sure people know that gambling can have an addictive possibility."During this Problem Gambling Awareness Month, Stone said things look slightly different in Kentucky.Double the number of people are calling the problem gambling hotline from one year ago, a sign not of increasing addiction but increasing awareness."More people are recognizing that if I'm gambling to excess, maybe it's because I've got some kind of a problem," Stone said.Right now, there may not be enough resources. Stone said roughly 80 percent of the state lacks a local certified counselor."It's not going to go away, so we have to we have to learn how to deal with it," Stone said.If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, contact 1-800-GAMBLER to reach a trained professional.
FRANKFORT, Ky. —March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month around the United States and after the legalization of sports betting in Kentucky last fall, the landscape of gambling addiction in the state is changing.
Whether it's for the winning lottery ticket or more recently, a bet on the Super Bowl, gambling has been around throughout history in Kentucky.
However, so has problem gambling.
Executive director of the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling, Michael Stone, said the latest survey estimates that roughly 50,000 adults in Kentucky are dealing with a gambling addiction.
"They're a small percentage, but what they do in terms of damage is significant," Stone said.
That survey cited above says problem gambling is costing the state more than $400 million in social services, unemployment, crime and bankruptcy.
"Our purpose as a council is not to advocate for gambling or educate against gambling," Stone said. "It's to make sure people know that gambling can have an addictive possibility."
During this Problem Gambling Awareness Month, Stone said things look slightly different in Kentucky.
Double the number of people are calling the problem gambling hotline from one year ago, a sign not of increasing addiction but increasing awareness.
"More people are recognizing that if I'm gambling to excess, maybe it's because I've got some kind of a problem," Stone said.
Right now, there may not be enough resources. Stone said roughly 80 percent of the state lacks a local certified counselor.
"It's not going to go away, so we have to we have to learn how to deal with it," Stone said.
If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, contact 1-800-GAMBLER to reach a trained professional.
