North Carolina Sees Alarming Jump in Problem Gambling Calls
North Carolina has reported a surge in calls to its problem gambling support hotlines.
North Carolina reports a 34% increase in calls since it launched its legal sports betting market.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), problem gambling helpline calls have increased by 79%. The health department also noted a 34% increase in calls seeking treatment for addictive gambling behaviors since the state launched its legal sports betting market in March.
However, despite rising gambling concerns, lottery-related calls have remained steady, showing no significant change from 2023 and year-to-date 2024 levels.
Nationwide Rise in Calls
The NCDHHS's data mirrors the national trend as various other states are also experiencing an uptick in problem gambling support calls. For instance, in Ohio, helpline calls jumped by 55% in the first year of regulated sports betting, reaching 10,637.
The Problem Gambling Help of West Virginia also reported an increase in support calls, with nearly 1,200 residents seeking aid in 2023.
Additionally, in Florida, the Council on Compulsive Gambling noted a rise in calls since the state's sports betting launch. A recent research conducted by the Social Science Research Network in the state revealed that individuals are shifting from the stock market to betting on sports.
As per the latest data from the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network, Illinois gambling help calls more than doubled in 2023 and rose by 23% during the first half of 2024.
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North Carolina Gambling Addiction Program
To address the rise of problem gambling in its jurisdiction, North Carolina unveiled a new Problem Gambling Program initiative in July. Launched by the state's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the initiative aims to provide accessible and data-driven therapy to North Carolina residents struggling with gambling disorders.
The DHHS partnered with East Carolina University's Gambling Research and Policy Initiative (GRPI) and Birches Health, a national leader in virtual gambling addiction treatment, to create the program.
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