Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

multigraincracker

(34,340 posts)
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 11:13 AM Feb 2022

Calls to the Michigan gambling problem helpline nearly tripled last year

https://www.michiganradio.org/2022-02-25/calls-to-the-michigan-gambling-problem-helpline-nearly-tripled-last-year


One year after Michigan legalized internet casino gambling and online sports betting, more people are seeking help for gambling disorders. The stress and isolation of COVID-19 compounded the issue, health official say.

MDHHS is also hosting a virtual conference next week on online gambling and sports betting, which is both used to train and educate mental health and social work professionals and is open to the public.

In the year since Michigan legalized online casino gambling and sports betting, some 4,400 calls poured into the state’s problem gambling hotline. That’s nearly triple the calls received in 2020, before online betting was legal.

The combination of COVID-19 stress and isolation, as well as a barrage of online betting advertising and opportunities, “presents an increased risk for gambling disorders to develop – particularly for younger participants who may be anxious, frustrated or isolated, and seeking a greater connection as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” state health officials said in a statement Friday.


Looks like those tv spots are working.
4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Calls to the Michigan gambling problem helpline nearly tripled last year (Original Post) multigraincracker Feb 2022 OP
Those TV and radio spots should be outlawed, like ads for tobacco products. JustABozoOnThisBus Feb 2022 #1
Next year they'll be replaced with multigraincracker Feb 2022 #2
Agree 100% ybbor Feb 2022 #4
Like drug dealers giving you first batch for free gibraltar72 Feb 2022 #3

JustABozoOnThisBus

(23,830 posts)
1. Those TV and radio spots should be outlawed, like ads for tobacco products.
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 11:31 AM
Feb 2022

But the state is probably taking a healthy cut of the gambling profits, so the state is not incentivized to protect people in this case.

ybbor

(1,605 posts)
4. Agree 100%
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 04:56 PM
Feb 2022

Was talking about it with my buddy the other day. Neither of us gamble and I asked him if anyone he knows did, he said his daughter’s boyfriend and some of his friends do.

It’s a terrible disservice to all of the impressionable young folk. Radio ads, billboards, sponsoring spots on local sports talk radio.

Much more damaging than smoking, and that is horrible!

gibraltar72

(7,629 posts)
3. Like drug dealers giving you first batch for free
Sat Feb 26, 2022, 12:19 PM
Feb 2022

in Michigan giving double credit when you join up probably seems to good to be true. And it is.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Michigan»Calls to the Michigan gam...