Florida problem gambling hotline reports rise in caller activity

The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling has said there is an increase in calls to its nonprofit addictive gambling prevention program hotline, according to a local WFLX news report.

The hotline said “it is struggling to meet demand after sports betting apps allowed more consumers to make bets.”

Sports betting in Florida has been legal since December. Players throughout the state were able to get in on Super Bowl betting for the first time during last night’s Big Game.

The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling said it anticipated the increase in calls due to a rise in sports wagers. The council predicts it will take close to 40,000 calls during the current fiscal year.

Last year, the hotline received almost 26,000 calls, according to the local report, with the largest demographic increase in calls from young adult men.

Executive Director Jennifer Kruse told local news the group is doing its best to meet the needs of its callers. However, the boost in activity could lead to a lack of availability, she said.

Kruse commented, “I don’t to date know of an issue where we have not responded to somebody in need of help. I can’t tell you that that’s always going to be the case.

“You know, we’re just now starting the tip of the iceberg in terms of those volume increases.”

In a recent survey, the American Gaming Association (AGA) has estimated that 67.8 million American adults are expected to wager on this year’s Super Bowl.

The projected figure represents 26% of adults and is 35% higher than the estimated participation during last year’s Big Game.

The AGA’s survey also estimates wagers could reach close to $23.1bn on last weekend’s game, a significant increase from last year’s $16bn.

Amanda Foster

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