Grand Rapids Business Journal
LANSING Calls to Michigan’s helpline for people struggling with gambling addiction spiked early this year, and researchers believe the timing is linked to the start of online gambling.
The Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline received 563 calls about gambling addiction in February, more than five times the total for the same month in 2020.
The Lansing State Journal reported that the increase followed high interest in online gambling and sports betting that launched in January.
“Casinos are at limited capacity right now because of the pandemic,” said Michelle Malkin, a doctoral candidate studying problem gambling at Michigan State University. “The only thing that could really (explain) this is the growth of online gambling. Because that’s really the only big change that’s happened in Michigan.”
LANSING Online gambling and sports betting celebrated a big launch in late January.
The Michigan Gaming Control Board announced operators had collected $42.7 million in gross receipts in the first 10 days Michiganders were allowed to place bets from home.
The next month, calls to the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline spiked. There were 563 gambling addiction calls placed to the helpline in February, more than five times the number of calls placed in February 2020.
That s huge growth, said Michelle Malkin,
a Ph.D. candidate studying problem gambling at Michigan State University s school of justice.
And online gambling is the likely culprit. Casinos are at limited capacity right now because of the pandemic, she said. The only thing that could really
Mar 3, 2021
LANSING After almost a full year of Michigan’s fight against COVID-19 and its impact on the mental health of Michigan residents, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is hosting the 13th annual Problem Gambling Symposium virtually on March 4 and 5.
In light of the stress caused by COVID-19, residents may be at an increased risk of developing behaviors that could lead to or exacerbate a problem gambling disorder. As residents seek out ways to connect with others during the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of social distancing may leave many with idle time, frustrations, and anxiety.
“As residents seek out alternate ways to connect with each other and manage the stress of the pandemic, we are keenly aware of the increased risk for a problem gambling disorder to develop,” said Alia Lucas, Gambling Disorder Program Manager with MDHHS. “This year, more than ever, we encourage all residents – health care providers, parents, family and friends
MDHHS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112
LANSING, Mich. – After almost a full year of Michigan’s fight against COVID-19 and its impact on the mental health of Michigan residents, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is hosting the 13th annual Problem Gambling Symposium virtually on March 4 and 5.
In light of the stress caused by COVID-19, residents may be at an increased risk of developing behaviors that could lead to or exacerbate a problem gambling disorder. As residents seek out ways to connect with others during the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of social distancing may leave many with idle time, frustrations, and anxiety.
MARQUETTE Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Michigan is on the right path after the state hit another vaccination milestone on Thursday by administering over 2 mil