As March Madness reaches a crescendo this month with an estimated $10 billion in bets placed on the NCAA basketball championship games each year, calls to the National Problem Gambling Helpline, (800) 522-4700, spike an average of 30% during the month, according to a news release from Lifeways.Â
For the 19th year the National Council on Problem Gambling, dedicates the month of March to helping people. The campaign theme âAwareness + Actionâ is all about taking specific action and having conversations about problem gambling issues and directing people to the help they may need. Approximately 1% of adults in the United States are estimated to meet criteria for gambling disorder. In Oregon the statistics are even higher at 2.6% of the population, which equals roughly 264,000 Oregonians. And yet for many people all across the country, gambling remains a hidden addiction.Â
March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) For the 19th year, the Oregon Council on Problem Gambling dedicates March to help increase public awareness of problem gambling and the availability of prevention, treatment and recovery services.
This coincides with the National Problem Gambling Awareness Month, whose campaign theme is “
Awareness + Action.”
“Problem Gambling Awareness Month is always important to us, as we highlight a ‘hidden’ addiction that millions of Americans face, including one in every 38 Oregon adults,” said Executive Director of the Oregon Council on Problem Gambling Julie Hynes.
“This year, we bring special attention to problem gambling, given the stress, isolation and financial uncertainty of so many Oregonians throughout the pandemic,” said Hynes. “Some can be tempted to seek hope through jackpots and escape from everyday problems via other gambling options. More widespread legalized online betting, day trading, and ev