Problem Gambling Awareness efforts must continue after March
Published:
Apr 2, 2025
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01:51 p.m.
ET
Key Points:
March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM), when advocates, public health professionals and organizations spotlight gambling addiction and promote prevention, treatment and recovery.
Although attention peaks in March, gambling addiction affects millions of Americans every day, necessitating continued awareness beyond the designated month.
Many states with legalized sports betting have seen spikes in gambling helpline outreach in recent years.
College students and young adults, particularly males under 25, are disproportionately affected, with high rates of gambling participation and addiction.
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March is designated as Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) – a time when organizations, advocates and public health professionals rally to spotlight the risks of gambling addiction and promote prevention, treatment and recovery services. The campaign, spearheaded by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), raises awareness about the dangers of gambling addiction, educates the public on responsible gambling and ensures that those struggling with problem gambling have access to resources.
Throughout March, media outlets cover personal stories, new responsible gambling initiatives and the latest statistics around problem gambling. Local and national news stations often feature interviews with addiction specialists. Events, educational workshops, and community discussions bring the issue to the forefront of public discourse.
But what happens when March ends?
Having designated months for awareness campaigns is valuable, but the issue arises when attention wanes as soon as the calendar flips to a new month. Problem gambling is not confined to one month – it is a year-round public health concern that affects millions of Americans. The truth today is that momentum built during PGAM cannot fade.
The rapid expansion of legalized gambling in the U.S. has amplified the risks associated with it, making ongoing prevention, treatment and awareness efforts more necessary than ever.
Takeaways from 2025 Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM)
This year’s PGAM theme, “Seeking Understanding,” emphasized problem gambling as a serious but misunderstood mental health condition. The campaign sought to dispel common myths, increase empathy and promote access to treatment services.
In 2024, PGAM’s theme was “Every Story Matters,” which encouraged individuals affected by problem gambling to share their experiences. The NCPG’s 2025 theme smartly built upon that, addressing questions and misconceptions that arise when personal stories are shared.
It’s no coincidence that out of all months, PGAM occurs in March. The Super Bowl in early February is the most popular single-game betting event in the world, and March follows with a month long of college basketball’s NCAA Tournament that occupies three straight weekends from mid-March to early April.
In Chicago, one key PGAM initiative was the “Are You Really Winning?” campaign by The Way Back INN, which highlighted the realities of gambling addiction and encouraged self-reflection on gambling behaviors. Since 2019, The Way Back Inn has seen a 30% increase in outreach from individuals seeking treatment for sports betting addiction.
The fact of the matter is gambling is more accessible than ever, with sports betting, online casinos and mobile gambling apps on the rise. And yet, the stigma surrounding problem gambling remains a barrier to treatment. Many individuals do not seek help due to shame, misinformation or lack of awareness about available resources.
Individuals struggling with problem gambling and their families need ongoing access to resources, treatment and support throughout the year. It’s imperative that we continue to share information about resources and increase accessibility of specialized support available.
Increases in Problem Gambling outreach across the U.S.
Gambling accessibility has increased dramatically in recent years, with online sportsbooks, mobile betting apps, and casino expansions making wagering easier than ever. The American Gaming Association estimates that the 2025 NCAA Tournament alone will generate over $3.1 billion in legal wagers, more than double the amount wagered on the Super Bowl. While many bet responsibly, others fall into problematic gambling patterns.
Florida’s Alarming Rise in Gambling Helpline Calls
Florida has seen one of the most dramatic increases in problem gambling outreach. The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling reported an 88% surge in calls to its gambling hotline last year, a reflection of the state’s expanding online sports betting market. That followed a 138% increase in the first two months with legal sports betting in late 2023. The largest group of callers were men aged 20-25, a demographic heavily engaged with sports betting apps like Hard Rock Bet, Florida’s only legal sportsbook.
New Jersey: A Long-Standing Gambling Hotspot
As one of the most established sports betting markets, New Jersey has been grappling with a rising problem gambling, particularly among young bettors. There has been 277% increase in gambling helpline calls since the state legalized online sports betting in 2018. A New Jersey State Legislature hearing highlighted that 100% (ALL!!!) of “recent” helpline calls came from individuals under 25, predominantly young men struggling with sports betting.
Other States Seeing Troubling Spikes
Florida and New Jersey aren’t alone:
Virginia: 973% increase in helpline callers from 2019 to 2023.
Ohio: 227% jump in calls from January 2022 to January 2023.
Massachusetts: 121% rise in gambling support service calls from mid-2022 to mid-2023.
The Growing Issue of Sports Betting Among Young People
Problem gambling is rising most sharply among college students and young adults, driven by the ease of access to mobile betting apps and fantasy sports platforms. A 2023 NCAA survey found that 58% of college students admitted to participating in sports betting. Nearly 30% of male college athletes report engaging in sports betting, with some starting as early as high school, putting them at increased risk for gambling-related harm.
Also alarming was a more recent NCAA survey that revealed that around 90% of students surveyed said they would not know where to turn for help if they or someone they know had a gambling problem.
Gambling addiction warning signs
Gambling addiction often goes unnoticed until serious financial and emotional consequences arise. Recognizing the warning signs is crucial:
Inability to stop or cut back: When someone has attempted to stop or reduce their betting but finds themselves unable to do so. They may also experience feelings of restlessness or irritability when attempting to cut back.
Increased frequency or amount of bets: An individual may begin to bet more frequently or increase the amounts they are risking, often to reach the level of excitement or interest that they previously experienced with lower amounts or fewer bets.
Borrowing money: A person may try to borrow money from others to fund their betting activities.
Neglecting other responsibilities: Someone having difficulty controlling their betting may neglect important responsibilities including work, school or family obligations.
Preoccupation with betting: Constantly thinking and/or talking about betting can be a sign that it has become compulsive and crossed the line into an unhealthy behavior that needs to be addressed.
Chasing losses: Betting more in hopes of recouping previous losses is a worrying indicator commonly seen by Birches Health counselors in individuals struggling with gambling addiction.
Hiding or lying about betting activity: Someone may feel the need to lie about or hide their gambling from others, at times due to feelings of shame or embarrassment.
Financial or legal troubles that are connected to one’s betting behaviors.
Recognizing these signs early can help individuals seek support before the consequences become severe.
Problem Gambling treatment options
For those struggling with problem gambling, help is available. Seeking treatment early can prevent long-term financial, emotional, and social consequences.
Birches Health understands the complexities of gambling addiction and offers confidential, evidence-based treatment to help individuals regain control. Services include:
Personalized therapy sessions tailored to each individual's needs
Online support groups for those affected by gambling addiction
Educational resources to promote responsible gambling habits
Here are some options for getting started with Birches:
Call 833-483-3838
Email help@bircheshealth.com
Awareness efforts must continue beyond March
While Problem Gambling Awareness Month provides a valuable opportunity to highlight gambling addiction, the effort must not stop when March ends. Ongoing initiatives in April from the NCPG include:
April 4, 2025: "Let’s Talk About Gambling on Campus" AMA – targeting college students at risk.
April 17, 2025: Digital Symposium on Youth Gambling Prevention – focusing on emotional regulation and resilience in young adults.
