Over the past three years, a gambling addiction hotline under the auspices of the nonprofit Virginia Council on Problem Gambling reported a 143 percent increase in calls, with 816 last year.
One explanation for the increase could be the rise in the number of places to bet money. Not just the lottery, not just casinos, but sports betting, horse racing and slot parlors. In 2020, the hotline took in 335 calls.
With that increase in opportunity comes an increase in calls among those who lack impulse control or an addictive personality. To deal with this, two lawmakers, one Democrat and one Republican, have introduced a bill to create another committee devoted to problem gaming
“As Virginia moves forward with the expansion of gaming, it’s important that we understand the ills that come with it,” State Senator Bryce Reeves said in a joint news release announcing the bill, which was also co-filed with Delegate Paul Krizek.
The proposed law creates a Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Advisory Committee, to be operated through the state’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.
The committee would enable collaboration between treatment providers and the gambling industry to reduce problem gambling.
The state’s problem gambling prevention coordinator, a position just created, would chair the committee, which would include a representative from all state agencies that regulate gambling. The industry would also have seats on the panel as would someone from the problem gambling council.
The news release mentioned a 2021 survey data which said 21 percent of Virginia high schoolers gambled in the past year.
“We know from prevention research that people who begin gambling in their teens are at a higher risk of developing a problem with gambling,” Krizek said. “And that one of the fastest growing groups to have gambling problems are young adults.”
