Gambling is big business in Virginia: It’s also a problem for too many people

Society has a love/hate relationship with gambling. On the one hand, it’s big business; on the other, there’s a fine line between the money that comes in and addiction.

Problem Gambling Awareness Month is ongoing with the Virginia Lottery and the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling, which are working to raise awareness of problem gambling and to highlight the importance of knowing one’s limits and not playing beyond one’s means when it comes to games of chance.

“As gambling options have become increasingly prevalent in Virginia, we at the Lottery are working hard to promote healthy and informed play for those who choose to play,” said Virginia Lottery Executive Director Khalid Jones. “It’s very important that people take advantage of the resources available to Virginians who think they or a loved one may have a gambling problem.”

The campaign includes a public service announcement, produced by the Lottery in partnership with the VCPG, encouraging people with questions about problem gambling to call the Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline.

The Lottery is also using paid media to raise awareness of the helpline, along with the Lottery’s popular social media platforms, point-of-sale items, informational brochures, posters, outreach to the Lottery’s player database, and more.

On top of all of that, every Virginia Lottery ticket displays the helpline number.

The Lottery also devotes a section of its website to problem gambling resources, tools and best practices, such as understanding odds.

The Virginia Lottery works closely with the VCPG, including funding the Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-888-532-3500.

The Helpline, operated by VCPG and funded by the Lottery, is toll-free, confidential and available 24/7 via phone, text or chat.

“The VCPG’s partnership with the Virginia Lottery reflects our shared commitment to improving the well-being of Virginians affected by gambling.” said Dr. Carolyn Hawley, president of the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling. “Together, we remain focused on expanding access to prevention, education, treatment and recovery resources statewide.”

The Virginia Lottery administers the state’s Voluntary Exclusion Program that allows people to exclude themselves (two years, five years, lifetime) from participating in certain legalized gambling in Virginia, whether regulated by the Virginia Lottery, the Virginia Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs, or the Virginia Racing Commission.

This includes account-based Virginia Lottery games; online sports betting; charitable gaming (raffle, bingo, network bingo, and instant bingo); betting on horse racing (live racing, off-track betting, historical horse racing); and advance deposit account wagering.

A portion of the tax revenue from Lottery-regulated gaming entities (sports betting and casinos) is directed to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund, which provides ongoing financial support for problem gambling in the Commonwealth.

This funding source is administered by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services for gambling addiction treatment.