Calls to the Michigan gambling problem helpline nearly tripled last year

[multigraincracker]

https://www.michiganradio.org/2022-02-25/calls-to-the-michigan-gambling-problem-helpline-nearly-tripled-last-year


One year after Michigan legalized internet casino gambling and online sports betting, more people are seeking help for gambling disorders. The stress and isolation of COVID-19 compounded the issue, health official say.

MDHHS is also hosting a virtual conference next week on online gambling and sports betting, which is both used to train and educate mental health and social work professionals and is open to the public.

In the year since Michigan legalized online casino gambling and sports betting, some 4,400 calls poured into the state’s problem gambling hotline. That’s nearly triple the calls received in 2020, before online betting was legal.

The combination of COVID-19 stress and isolation, as well as a barrage of online betting advertising and opportunities, “presents an increased risk for gambling disorders to develop – particularly for younger participants who may be anxious, frustrated or isolated, and seeking a greater connection as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” state health officials said in a statement Friday.


Looks like those tv spots are working.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

1. Those TV and radio spots should be outlawed, like ads for tobacco products.

But the state is probably taking a healthy cut of the gambling profits, so the state is not incentivized to protect people in this case.

[multigraincracker]

2. Next year they'll be replaced with

spots with, dial 1-800 bankruptcylawers.

[ybbor]

4. Agree 100%

Was talking about it with my buddy the other day. Neither of us gamble and I asked him if anyone he knows did, he said his daughter’s boyfriend and some of his friends do.

It’s a terrible disservice to all of the impressionable young folk. Radio ads, billboards, sponsoring spots on local sports talk radio.

Much more damaging than smoking, and that is horrible!

[gibraltar72]

3. Like drug dealers giving you first batch for free

in Michigan giving double credit when you join up probably seems to good to be true. And it is.