The Virginia Lottery aims to raise awareness about problem gambling and encourage responsible gambling during National Problem Gambling Awareness Month in March.
The Lottery’s public service announcement urges individuals to seek assistance if they or someone they are acquainted with is struggling with a gambling addiction.
“In light of the increasing availability of gambling options in Virginia, the Virginia Lottery is even more dedicated to promoting responsible play and raising awareness about problem gambling,” stated Kelly T. Gee, the executive director of the Virginia Lottery, in a press release.
With the Lottery now overseeing the licensing and regulation of sports wagering and casinos in the Commonwealth, prioritizing problem gambling awareness is a crucial aspect of their compliance requirements.
Virginia Lottery PSA highlight effects of problem gambling
The Lottery’s latest public service announcement sheds light on the feeling of isolation associated with problem gambling. The campaign features a man who describes how he felt like a different person while engaged in gambling activities.
He further expressed that it was as if he had transformed into an extraterrestrial being. The scene shifted to reveal the man fully clad in an alien outfit.
The protagonist in the campaign video reveals, “I experienced a sense of detachment from my family and friends. This was also noticed by my co-workers. The burden of mounting bills and the strain on my relationships became overwhelming.”
It serves as a clever means to shed light on alienation, yet it explicitly demonstrates to viewers the way to seek assistance.
What is problem gambling?
The majority of individuals opt to engage in gambling for leisure or entertainment purposes and do not encounter any problems. In Virginia, many practice responsible gambling by establishing limits and understanding that once their allotted funds are depleted, they cease participating.
However, individuals with gambling problems face a contrasting situation.
Problem gambling, as defined by the Virginia Lottery, encompasses any gambling behaviors that undermine, disturb, or harm individual, familial, or occupational endeavors.
This path is riddled with potential consequences such as financial ruin, legal complications, workplace conflicts, or self-inflicted harm, all stemming from gambling activities.
Lottery partners with Virginia Council on Problem Gaming to raise awareness
The Virginia Lottery collaborates with the Virginia Council on Problem Gaming throughout the year, including the month of March. Their aim is to raise awareness about available resources for individuals seeking assistance.
Dr. Carolyn Hawley, Ph.D., president of VCPG, emphasized the dedication of the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling towards increasing public knowledge about problem gambling and, more significantly, highlighting the various resources accessible for advice and support. In a statement, she expressed their desire to extend assistance to individuals grappling with a gambling disorder, ensuring they are aware of the available help.
In Virginia, a portion of taxes collected from gambling activities is allocated to the state’s fund for problem gambling treatment and support. Specifically, 2.5% of the adjusted gross revenue generated from sports betting contributes to this fund. In the latest available record for January, the revenue from Virginia sports betting amounted to slightly over $159,000, which directly benefited problem gambling treatment initiatives.
Funding from the problem gambling allocation is distributed by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services.
Virginia offers problem gambling helpline, voluntary exclusion
For individuals seeking assistance, the Virginia Lottery provides a range of services.
For assistance with problem gambling in the state, dial 888-532-3500. Individuals can either make a call or send a text message to this helpline. Additionally, there are alternative resources accessible such as the National Council on Problem Gambling or Gamblers Anonymous. If you or someone you are acquainted with is facing gambling difficulties, the Virginia Department of Behavioral and Developmental Health is also available to provide assistance.
Virginia, like many other states, provides voluntary exclusion programs that enable individuals with gambling issues to voluntarily prohibit themselves from engaging in legalized gambling activities within the state. These activities encompass casino gaming, lottery games, online sports betting, horse race wagering, and charitable gaming.
The self-exclusion program offers three options for its duration: a two-year period, a five-year period, or a lifetime commitment. Once enrolled in the program, removal is not possible until the specified exclusion period concludes.
If you are placed on the list, you will be prohibited from entering any casino facility until the completion of your exclusion period. In the event of an attempt to enter a facility, you may face charges for trespassing. Additionally, if you are caught gambling, you will lose your winnings, which will be seized and allocated to the Commonwealth’s Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund.
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