The United States stands out for being one of the most lucrative and fastest-growing gambling markets on the planet. There are, of course, lots of benefits that have come from this but the sector still has to deal with some major issues. One of the most prominent ones is gambling-related harm.
March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month and the goal of this is to offer as much education and promote as many resources as possible to help gamblers who feel that their gaming activities may be getting out of control. Tackling irresponsible gambling is a pretty big deal not just because of how deeply-entrenched the industry is to our daily lives but also because problem gambling’s effects extend beyond individuals. Families, friends and even entire communities have all been impacted in one way or the other by problem gambling.
As it stands, studies estimate that about 2 million adults in the United States check the boxes for one more of the things that define gambling disorders. As if that is not enough, an additional 2 to 3 percent of the country’s population may be easily defined as problem gamblers.
Nationwide Action
From New York to Pennsylvania, several states where gambling is legalized and regulated will be collaborating with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NPCG). Some of the ways that the stakeholders are using to reach out to people are social media taglines such as #AwarenessPlusAction or #PGAM2021 (Problem Gambling Awareness Month).
By following these taglines and the conversations, gamblers across various states can get valuable information on the preventions, treatment and recovery services available to them. Public health organizations, treatment facilities, responsible gambling advocacy groups and even the gambling operators themselves have also joined the fight – their collaboration is expected to steer the efforts towards a successful outcome.
It will not stop there though. Even after March, people struggling with problem gambling will still have all the resources mentioned above to turn to. 1-800-522-4700, the problem gambling helpline is always open and, as expected, the call is free and all the information sent to it is confidential.
All in all, the fact that the United States betting market is growing so fast makes such initiatives vital to its longevity. To survive, the industry needs to be safe and sustainable for everyone. Similar initiatives are being pursued in other gaming markets including the United Kingdom which will is currently in the process of reviewing its gambling laws to fit with the digital age.
