When Kentucky lawmakers approved sports betting, they set up the state's first problem gambling fund. <\/p>\n
It's meant to bring awareness and treatment to those who might have a gambling disorder. <\/p>\n
But as Kentucky editions June Lefler reports, advocates say more help is needed right now. <\/p>\n
Boulware Mission in Owensboro, Kentucky, is a residential program for men. <\/p>\n
Ron Slim Clark counsels these men on their drug and alcohol addictions. <\/p>\n
But she also screens for and educates them on gambling problems. <\/p>\n
The brain doesn't see it really much differently as far as the dopamine it releases than it does with using different substances. <\/p>\n
So after that big win, however much that is few hundred, few thousand, you go back because you want to chase that dopamine feeling. <\/p>\n
Then you want to go back and get some more math. <\/p>\n
Yeah, you wouldn't chase that dopamine failing. <\/p>\n
The National Council on problem Gambling estimates just 1% of adults in the U.S.. Have developed a gambling disorder and another 2 to 3% have a gambling problem. <\/p>\n
John Arnett developed a gambling disorder in his fifties. <\/p>\n
I was extremely lucky the first year I gambled. <\/p>\n
And what I've learned from Gamblers Anonymous, that's the worst thing that can happen to someone. <\/p>\n
Because if you lose a lot when you began your entire school and bought right away, whereas if you win, your interest will pay. <\/p>\n
And the consequences of problem gambling are arguably as devastating as those from a substance use disorder. <\/p>\n
The least that you have to lose is money. <\/p>\n
The most you have to lose is reputation, livelihood, employment, freedom. <\/p>\n
And more than that. <\/p>\n
Of all the mental illnesses that are out there schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, gambling disorder has the highest rate of suicide. <\/p>\n
One in five individuals with a gambling problem will attempt or complete suicide. <\/p>\n
Arnett eventually found help through Gamblers Anonymous in Kentucky. <\/p>\n
And you draw strength from attending those sessions and discussing your issues with people that are there. <\/p>\n
Anyone with concerns can take a quick self-assessment online or call one 800 gambler, which is answered by counselors here in Kentucky. <\/p>\n
24 seven. <\/p>\n
The callers can be completely anonymous. <\/p>\n
We can offer you just listening support, general. <\/p>\n
Kind of try to let the person vent or talk about whatever it is that they're experiencing. <\/p>\n
We can also provide them with tangible resources. <\/p>\n
Including contacts for seven open gamblers, anonymous groups, and seven active certified gambling counselors in the state. <\/p>\n
Since the advent of sports betting, calls to the hotline have increased. <\/p>\n
So almost 300% increase this month from last year. <\/p>\n
This month. <\/p>\n
So December of 22 to 23, we've seen almost a three fold increase. <\/p>\n
Sports betting isn't new, but legal Online gaming is likely expanding how people get treated. <\/p>\n
A guy at one time who played in a major SEC school and became hurt and ended up really his life took a downward spiral and he was gambling quite a bit. <\/p>\n
He told me, he said, I bet on every down in every game if you watch When we approached the Super Bowl soon there will be so many different things you can bet on. <\/p>\n
Aside from the coin toss, who's going to win the coin toss? <\/p>\n
Who's going to be the starting quarterback? <\/p>\n
What their uniforms are going to look like? <\/p>\n
Who's going to score first? <\/p>\n
Who's going to make the most first downs? <\/p>\n
There's just so many different ways. <\/p>\n
When state lawmakers approved sports betting, they also set up the state's first ever problem gambling fund. <\/p>\n
2.5% of sports betting revenue is earmarked for this fund. <\/p>\n
That should total about $100,000 a month based on initial earnings. <\/p>\n
But that money won't be available for quite some time. <\/p>\n
And we don't anticipate that money will be available until well into 2024. <\/p>\n
With contributions from the gaming industry. <\/p>\n
The Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling is using its resources to train more counselors. <\/p>\n
We are trying to increase the number of certified gambling counselors because we anticipate a wave of problem gambling surfacing in 2024 with the advent of the sports betting in the state. <\/p>\n
Mike Stone was recruiting at a regional counseling conference in the fall. <\/p>\n
It is as much a geographic concern as it is a numerical concern. <\/p>\n
There's one counselor in eastern Kentucky. <\/p>\n
There are three in Owensboro. <\/p>\n
There are two in Louisville. <\/p>\n
That means that there are none in Lexington. <\/p>\n
There's none in northern Kentucky. <\/p>\n
There's none in Bowling Green. <\/p>\n
There's none in Paducah. <\/p>\n
There's no. <\/p>\n
But there's gambling all over the state. <\/p>\n
For stone, this is a race against time. <\/p>\n
While the money from the state isn't coming any time soon, sports betting is well underway and it's not slowing down. <\/p>\n
For Kentucky Edition, I'm June Leffler. <\/p>\n
Again, the problem Gaming Gambling Helpline is one 800 gambler. <\/p>\n
Tomorrow, we'll bring you a third story on sports betting and how college campuses are talking about it. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
More:<\/p>\n
Kentucky Edition | Kentucky's First Problem Gambling Fund | Season 2 | Episode 145 - PBS<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When Kentucky lawmakers approved sports betting, they set up the state's first problem gambling fund. It's meant to bring awareness and treatment to those who might have a gambling disorder. But as Kentucky editions June Lefler reports, advocates say more help is needed right now Continue reading