- The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has launched its Problem Gambling Awareness MonthThe initiative is a collaboration between the Department of Drug and Alcohol, Pennsylvania Lottery, and Council on Compulsive Gambling in the state
- As interest in gambling increases, so does the need for making treatment options for problem gambling accessible, argues the PGCB
Pennsylvania kicks off Problem Gambling Awareness month in a bid to raise awareness among residents for local and national problem gambling treatment options.
Problem Gambling Awareness a Priority for Regulators
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) has launched the Problem Gambling Awareness Month, outlining its own plans for the month designated to address gambling-related harm in the United States amid soaring online poker revenue.
During the month, the PGCB will focus on promoting resources that may be helpful in detecting, limiting, or curing problem gambling in individuals.
The regulator has already joined the Department of Drug and Alcohol, Pennsylvania Lottery, and Council on Compulsive Gambling in Pennsylvania to host a quick digital talk and discuss how to best make tools available to Pennsylvanians as well as equip residents with the means to recognize and minimize gambling addiction.
Commenting on the initiative, PGCB’s office of compulsive and problem gambling director, Elizabeth Lanza, said that the Problem Gambling Awareness Month is fully focused on highlighting those issues that remain marginalized when legalizing gambling industries.
Problem gamblers need to know that they have treatment options available both in-state and nationally. PGCB executive director Kevin O’Toole joined the conversation by arguing that the PGCB is already working on improving existing problem gambling tools and adding more safety mechanisms to guarantee that Pennsylvanians are enjoying risk-free entertainment.
Growing Interest in Gambling Means More Issues to Address
The first step in this commitment has been the expansion of the board’s self-exclusion program, which has gone beyond sports betting to now featuring fantasy contests, video gaming, and online casinos. There have been 16,000 sign-ups to the self-exclusion program for various lengths, ranging from one year to a lifetime, the PGCB chief explained.
With interest in gambling soaring, however, Pennsylvania is committed to continuing to provide support for problem gamblers as well as try and raise awareness further so that vulnerable individuals know that they have options.
The board is also committed to identifying what practices are best for supporting Pennsylva
