The stay-at-home requirements of the Covid-19 pandemic is driving a surge in New Hampshire lottery sales, especially online games, that is dramatically increasing the numbers of problem gamblers, say critics.
The National Council of Problem Gambling reported a 24 percent increase of calls on its 24-hour hotline from New Hampshire last year. Concurrently, the New Hampshire Internet Lottery sales increased 167.5 percent compared to the year before, while overall sales increased 27 percent.
Keith Whyte, the national council’s executive director said in a statement: “Social isolation, job loss, stress, depression — these are all known risk factors for gambling problems.”
In addition to more people playing at home, more games are available to play. Jackpots are also larger.
About 1 percent of all adults in the U.S. are considered problem gamblers. About 8,000 of them are in New Hampshire, according to Ed Talbot, executive director of the New Hampshire Council on Problem Gambling.
The New Hampshire hotline reported a similar increase in calls as did the national hotline, 25 percent last year. For every one who calls about him or herself, two calls come from friends or relatives of those who they feel need help.
“There are more people gambling,” he said. “And there’s more awareness of our helpline.”
The Granite State was the first in the nation to establish a lottery, in 1964. In 2019 it also pioneered online sports betting.
Talbot, who is a former problem gambler, says the state lottery contributes to addiction by allowing customers to pay with their credit cards. He told the N.H. Business Review: “It’s easier to access funds,” he said. “Me, as a racetrack bettor, if you didn’t have cash, you couldn’t make a bet. With casinos, you can just swipe a card and it’s the same thing online. You can max out. It’s almost like you’re not putting down real money.”
Whyte also blames aggressive marketing.
“People with gambling problems are more vulnerable to advertising and marketing,” said Whyte. “If you have a gambling problem, or are at risk, it can increase urges to gamble. It can lead to relapse if you are in recovery from gambling conditions, and generally prompts you to play more.”
