Problem-gambling therapists, researchers and long-term Gamblers Anonymous members told the Tribune they are seeing a jump in the number of people seeking treatment for sports gambling problems.
. “Bet tenders” roam some Chicago bars, nudging people to make accounts and place wagers on the now-omnipresent smartphone betting apps.
In response, regulators and sportsbooks highlight the work already underway to address problem gambling, like a new statewide public awareness campaign, donations to support groups for problem gambling and resources for responsible gambling on mobile betting apps. For many years, the meetings were mostly attended by older people, he said. But he now sees younger men showing up and “a disease spreading.”
The 69-year-old’s last bet was on Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999, when Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway was named MVP. He recalled having an hourlong window to call his bookie on Sundays. He’d find a pay phone to place bets in between 16-inch softball games with friends, he said.But things have changed since sports gambling was made legal, he said. The new ability for millions of people to wager on always-available sports betting apps scares him.
“Financially, we’re outgunned. They’re going to be spending a lot more money on those ads than what we have the capability to spend,” he said. Still, Wilkerson expects the state’s new ads to build community awareness about how to recognize and respond to problem gambling. “We want to create a gambling informed state,” he said.
The state also offers a voluntary gambling self-exclusion program that blocks people from casinos and sports wagering after in-person registrations, Miller added. He believes the sportsbook companies are getting better at educating gamblers about responsible gaming. “Responsible gaming is the responsibility of the entire industry, and collectively we are all focused on it,” Jones said.FanDuel’s website also offers optional wager and deposit limits and can even trigger wellness checks when gamblers appear to be chasing bad bets, he added. Sports gambling happened before it was legal and would continue if it were made illegal, but legalization allows for consumer protections and tax revenues to exist, he argued.
There are no Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for problem gambling, and research funding hasn’t had an increase equivalent to gambling’s jump in accessibility and acceptability, Napier said. She wants the companies publicizing and profiting from sports gambling to do more to support research.“There’s a tremendous missed opportunity here, in terms of being a good citizen,” she said.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Claim That US Blew up Nord Stream Pipelines Relies on Anonymous SourceSeymour Hersh presents factual background material, but his case for conspiracy is held together by a seemingly omnipotent anonymous source.
Read more »
323,500 Ethereum (ETH) Shifted to Coinbase as Price Keeps FallingAnonymous whales have shoveled nearly half billion USD in Ethereum to Coinbase
Read more »
From The Confessional: 'Exhausted From Always Being The Default Parent'12 parents share their anonymous thoughts about being very, very tired
Read more »
Illinois man wins $91M in 7-Eleven lawsuit after losing both legsAn Illinois man who lost both legs when pinned to the front of a Bensenville 7-Eleven in a car accident reached a $91 million settlement with the company Monday.
Read more »
Shooting leaves man wounded at Illinois Medical District Blue Line stopHe was struck in the foot and was taken to Stroger Hospital of Cook County in good condition.
Read more »
Illinois man reaches $91M settlement in 7-Eleven crash suitA suburban Chicago man whose legs were amputated in 2017 after a car lurched forward into a parking space, pinning him against the front of a 7-Eleven store, reached a $91 million settlement on Monday with the convenience store chain.
Read more »