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Michael R. Stone
| Opinion contributor

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Kentucky, and the entire United States, is in the middle of the second biggest gambling event of the year. First up is pro football’s Super Bowl. The NCAA Basketball Tournament, March Madness, is his second. In some ways, March Madness has become more prevalent, with seemingly every business, office, organization, social group, and family filling out brackets or participating in some form of gambling to guess the winning team. It looks like.

Gambling in Kentucky may be at an all-time high. The advent of legal sports betting combined with the Kentucky Lottery, Keno, pari-mutuel horse racing, historic horse racing machines, and charity gaming has given individuals the opportunity to gamble legally. Last year, more than $2 billion was spent on legal gambling in Kentucky. Kentucky is a gambling state.

Here’s what you need to know: Legal gambling raises more than $530 million in 2022

With the legalization of sports betting last year, anyone with a cell phone can now have a betting window in their pocket. For a person to develop a gambling problem, access and availability are two risk factors. With a growing number of mobile betting apps and historic horse racing venues, it’s easy to access and available near you. 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) Advertising, online gambling, and social media messaging are increasing awareness of problem gambling and disorderly gambling, as evidenced by calls and texts to the Problem Gambling Helpline. It’s increasing. Since sports betting became legal in September 2023, the number of calls and emails has increased significantly.

Interestingly, although awareness appears to be increasing, the number of problem and disordered (or addicted) gamblers is likely to remain constant for at least the past 30 years. there is. There will always be problem gamblers and addicted gamblers. Stigma and shame around uncontrolled gambling activities continued to mask the problem. Advertisements and messages raise awareness that, for some people, uncontrolled gambling is classified as a behavioral health problem and is a treatable condition. With counseling and self-help, troubled gamblers can recover and return to productive behavior. We are seeing more people coming forward and asking for help.

More Kentuckians are seeking help for gambling problems

As explained by Dr. John E. Grant of the University of Chicago, who gave the keynote address at the 27th Annual Education and Awareness Conference sponsored by the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling, gambling disorders are caused by a gambler’s biochemical and learning habits. It is a mental disorder. Action. This is defined by the American Psychiatric Association. Problem gamblers exhibit characteristics that can escalate to disordered gambling or addictive gambling.

So far, most people gamble for fun and do not suffer from unfair consequences. Since the mid-1990s, studies and studies have shown that 95% of the population gambles for entertainment value without long-term or unjust consequences. 1% of the population is a consistent estimate of disordered gamblers, and 3% is a consistent estimate of problem gamblers. The actual number will increase with population growth.

An analysis by Dr. Scott Hunt, associate dean of Eastern Kentucky University’s School of Justice Studies and a member of the KYCPG committee, reports that there are currently approximately 50,000 disorderly gamblers in Kentucky. Problem gamblers he may reach 165,000. Other studies show that each disordered gambler can cost society $9,000 a year in social services, unemployment insurance, criminal justice, bankruptcy, lost productivity, lost wages, and suicide. I am. Suicide rates among disordered gamblers are the highest of all addictive disorders. Studies show that one disordered gambler affects eight to 10 other gamblers.

Since sports betting began in Kentucky, more and more people are realizing that gambling may be a problem. They call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) with questions and for help. In August 2023, he averaged one call per day for help. In October 2023, the first full month of sports betting, there were an average of two calls per day, a number that remained higher than before sports betting began.

As mentioned above, this does not mean there are more problem or addicted gamblers in Kentucky. That means more people are aware of potential problems and are seeking help. More support is planned. The bill legalizing sports betting in the state included language establishing the state’s first publicly funded Problem Gambling Assistance Account. Funded in part by sports betting taxes, the account will be managed by the state Department of Behavioral Health and will provide behavioral health counseling services, prevention efforts, and awareness messages about problem gambling and gambling disorders. It is not a relief program or a source of payment for gamblers’ debts.

KYCPG is not anti-gambling and does not encourage people to gamble. Humans have been gambling since prehistoric times and will continue to do so in the future. KYCPG’s aim is to raise awareness that gambling can be addictive and to increase the support available to problem and addicted gamblers and their families. KYCPG encourages individuals to gamble responsibly. Before gambling, individuals can ask themselves whether their financial and personal circumstances allow gambling as a pastime. Gambling should be avoided when you are feeling stressed or dealing with emotions. It’s not a proper escape activity. Finally, individuals should set limits on the amount of money and time they spend gambling. Also, when gambling, do not try to recover lost money and avoid ATMs and secondary sources of funds.

If gambling is no longer fun for you, or if you think gambling may become a problem, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).

Michael R. Stone is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling (KYCPG).

The Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling is a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to increase awareness of problem gambling, promote prevention and research, and advocate for the availability of treatment. KYCPG is supported by memberships and donations. Corporate members include Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park, Newport Racing and Gaming, Oak Grove Racing Gaming and Hotel, Derby City Gaming, and TwinSpires. Keeneland Racetrack; The Mint (formerly Kentucky Downs). Red Mile. Kentucky Lottery Corporation. KRM Betting; Bally’s Evansville, Belterra Casino Resort, Caesars Southern Indiana, Caesars Sportsbook.

Members of the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling are President, Director of Education, and NCPG Representative Ronson Lynn Clark, P.D., Owensboro. Crestwood Treasurer Michael Townsend. Secretary Sarah Westerman, Crestwood; Professional Advisor Dr. Curtis L. Barrett, Prospect. John Arnett, Florence. Jim Blackerby, Lexington. Dennis Boyd, Louisville; Dr. Scott Hunt, Richmond. Jeremy Keefer, Owensboro. Patrick Malarkey (Louisville) and Chip Polston (Louisville).

When the fun stops – there’s help.

If you believe you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.

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