North Carolina reports 79% rise in calls to its problem gambling helpline
The state opened its legal sports betting market in March.
North Carolina has joined a list of states that have reported a rise in calls to their problem gambling helplines.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) said that its overall call volume is up by 79%, according to a local new report in The Carolina Journal.
The NCDHHS also reported that calls related to seeking treatment for addictive gambling behaviors rose by 34% since the state opened its legal sports betting market.
Sports wagering in North Carolina has been legal and available since March.
NCDHHS Problem Gambling Administrator Amanda Winters told locals news that recent rising trends have not affected calls related to the state’s lottery.
Calls specifically related to lottery activity have remained consistent to the volume reported in both 2023 and so far in 2024.
Several other states have reported a boost in problem gambling helpline activity in recent months.
In West Virginia, the Problem Gambling Help Network recently reported a rise in calls for assistant and cited that nearly 1,200 residents reached out to the group last year for help with problem gambling issues.
The Ohio for Responsible Gambling (ORG) reported that during the first year of regulated sports betting in the Buckeye State, the helpline reported that calls have increased by 55%. The helpline logged 10,637 calls during 2023.
A recent study in Florida conducted by the Social Science Research Network has found that players are pulling back on stock market investments to bet on sports.
The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling has also reported a rise in calls to its problem gambling hotline since the market’s opening late last year.
According to the recent report from the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network, help call volume in Illinois more than doubled in 2023 when compared to the call volume in 2022.
Calls to the helpline from Illinois residents have reached nearly 16,000 during the first half of 2024, the report said. This number reflects a 23% boost in calls made during this time period last year.
Tags/Keywords
Players trust our reporting due to our commitment to unbiased and professional evaluations of the iGaming sector. We track hundreds of platforms and industry updates daily to ensure our news feed and leaderboards reflect the most recent market shifts. With nearly two decades of experience within iGaming, our team provides a wealth of expert knowledge. This long-standing expertise enables us to deliver thorough, reliable news and guidance to our readers.
Latest News
