Summary
- March is designed as problem gambling awareness month
- Pennsylvania focuses on responsible gambling tools
- Kansas focuses on detecting problem gambling signs early
The month of March marked the beginning of the 18th annual National Problem Gambling Awareness Month (NPGAM) in the United States.
We take a look at what Pennsylvania and Kansas are doing during March to promote responsible gambling in their respective states.
PA Natives Make Active Use of Responsible Gambling Tools
The Interactive Gaming Report of 2021 cited that almost 11 percent of Pennsylvania (PA) natives have participated in iGaming in the past year. Of the 11 percent, half of them admitted to wagering more money to finance their gambling and to gamble for longer durations.
Claire Yantis from the Pennsylvania Gambling Control Board’s (PGCB) said that almost two to four percent of PA natives might develop a gambling disorder at some point. She added that in January 2022, about 80,000 iGaming accounts used at least one gambling limit tool offered by PA operators. Operators are required to offer such tools to help users monitor their gambling activity. These measures include spending limits, deposit limits, time limits, and PA’s mandatory self-exclusion program.
These measures are a part of the attempt to sensitize the public about problem gambling and help them recover from it. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) has designated March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month, operating on the background of the annual NCAA basketball tournament, March Madness that registers massive betting. About 1% of the American population deals with severe problem gambling issues, with another 2-3% dealing with mild problem gambling.
The theme for this year’s NPGAM is “Awareness + Action”. Throughout the month, various groups in the country try to raise awareness about problem gambling through social media campaigns, public conferences, and promote treatment services. Several recovering addicts have sworn by the efficacy of such measures offered by the operators and numerous helpline platforms.
Kansas Focusing On Detecting Early Problem Gambling Signs
Amy Falcon of Southwest Kansas Problem Gambling Task Force (SKPGTF) said that numerous stakeholders like the Ford County Extension Office, Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging (SWKAAA), and other Kansas providers are committed to helping the public diagnose the early signs of problem gambling and sensitize them about possible avenues of help as part of the NPGAM 2022.
Falcon added that efforts during March might help counter the harm the American public will be vulnerable to during the 2021 March Madness tournament. Over 47 million Americans are expected to bet on the event with illegal bets accounting for 2.5 billion annually. The attempts during the NPGAM aim to touch lives impacted by problem gambling and mitigate the harm caused by it.
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