Gambling in the USA

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month

Published

5 years ago

March 2, 2020

Awareness Plus Action Needed with Increased Sports Betting

As March Madness builds to a crescendo with an estimated $10 billion in bets that will be placed on the NCAA basketball championship games, calls to the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-522-4700) are expected to spike significantly during the month. Sports betting is now legal in many states, and research demonstrates that young males and athletes have an increased risk of developing a gambling problem. So it is especially important to communicate this message to the public now.

For the eighteenth year in a row, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is dedicating the month of March to helping people affected by problem gambling. Approximately 2 million U.S. adults (1 percent of the national population) are estimated to meet formal criteria for gambling addiction, and an additional 4 to 6 million (2 to 3 percent) are estimated to be experiencing gambling problems. On average, each individual affected by gambling addiction impacts an additional seven to twenty people in their families and communities. Yet for many, gambling remains a hidden addiction.

Using the tagline #AwarenessPlusAction, the National Council on Problem Gambling developed Problem Gambling Awareness Month (#PGAM) to raise awareness of the prevention, treatment and recovery services available to individuals adversely affected by gambling. This grassroots campaign brings together a wide range of stakeholders, among them public health organizations, advocacy groups including NCPG state affiliates, and gambling operators. They work collaboratively to publicize issues such as how to identify if someone has a gambling disorder, how to get help, and that treatment works – in short, that hope and help exist. NCPG is providing a special web page to give information on local state activities and events – participants may share them via a link on www.ncpgambling.org/pgam.

Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) is designed to achieve three goals:

-to increase public awareness of problem gambling
-to increase the availability of prevention, treatment and recovery services
-to encourage healthcare providers to screen clients for problem gambling

NCPG provides information materials and special graphics in the PGAM Toolkit on its website, which may be used without charge by anyone who wants to participate in advocacy and awareness activities this March. Each year, hundreds of organizations do.

“March Madness is a time when we see an increase in gambling and more outreach for our services. PGAM is important to me – and NCPG and our partners as a whole – because we want to help individuals with problem gambling, and this is the peak time for raising awareness of the issue,” said Keith Whyte, Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Problem gambling, gambling disorder and gambling addiction are formal terms that professionals working in this field use to describe a spectrum of gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits.

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PGAM will also include a Gambling Disorder Screening Day on March 10, 2020, hosted in collaboration with the Cambridge Health Alliance, a nonprofit health organization headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Gambling Disorder Screening Day is an international event designed to support health care providers in the identification of gambling disorder. All too often, this disorder leads to financial, emotional, social, occupational and physical harms, yet many cases go undetected due to the limited availability of accessible assessments to identify this problem. Screening Day addresses the issue and provides tools to detect gambling-related problems as early as possible.

The Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling (LACG) is one of many organizations preparing for PGAM. “Together we can help thousands of people this March to become Aware and to take Action towards getting help for gambling addiction,” said Janet Miller, Executive Director of LACG and member of NCPG’s Board of Directors. “We have provided highly successful treatment for many people. Please call or text 1-800-522-4700 today to get started. We understand. ”

About the National Council on Problem Gambling

Based in Washington DC, the National Council on Problem Gambling is the only national nonprofit organization that seeks to minimize the economic and social costs associated with gambling addiction by working with constituents in all facets of gambling.

If gambling becomes a problem, NCPG urges people who gamble, as well as their loved ones, to contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline, which offers hope and help without judgment or shame. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call or text 1-800-522-4700 or visit www.ncpgambling.org/chat. Help is available 24/7 – it is free and confidential.

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Compliance Updates

Arizona Department of Gaming Releases October Sports Betting Figures

Published

2 weeks ago

January 9, 2025

Adrienn Sarkany

Bettors in Arizona wagered approximately $791 million on sports in October of 2024, according to a new report by the Arizona Department of Gaming. This represents an approximate 22% increase when compared to October of 2023.

The state collected approximately $2.35 million in privilege fees in the month.

Gambling in the USA

Neosurf & Betting Hero to reveal results of their in-depth study into US online gambling and payment habits in exclusive two-part webinar series

Published

2 weeks ago

January 9, 2025

Adrienn Sarkany

Neosurf, the globally trusted provider of swift and secure cash-to-digital payment solutions, has announced it will be sharing the findings of a recent study into the online betting habits, preferences and frustrations of US players in an exclusive two-part webinar series beginning on January 14^th.

Neosurf commissioned the research via Betting Hero – a leading US-based iGaming portal with expertise in casino, sports betting and DFS. The webinars will see Neosurf CEO Americas, Sue Page, Betting Hero’s Co-Founder and President, Jai Maw, and Senior Director of Product and Research, Ernie Ropas, dive into the report’s key findings and discuss what some of the more surprising results could mean for operators.

The survey, which featured respondents from New Jersey, Colorado and North Carolina, aimed to help operators and regulators within the gambling industry better understand the typical US bettor – how and why they bet, what tools they use to manage their budget and what Responsible Gaming means to them. The findings will be revealed in the webinars and used to identify areas where Neosurf’s products can help operators provide a better user experience.

The research highlighted several aspects of payments and responsible gaming that bettors felt could be improved. Problems with payments remain an issue – 52% of respondents said that they’d experienced payment issues in the past year, and with over 50% depositing and withdrawing multiple times each month, there is a significant cost impact to the operators.

Additionally, respondents indicated they’d be in favour of using a service that could share pre-verified ID information with operators, with ease of use for new payment methods and seamless integration across multiple platforms identified as important factors in their choosing and remaining loyal to a single sports betting platform.

Sue Page, Neosurf CEO Americas, said: “It was important to us to gain a more detailed insight into the US sports bettor. We wanted to talk to the players and ask questions that no one else is asking, and through our collaboration with Betting Hero I’m delighted that we now have a comprehensive piece of research.

“Offering valuable insights into player habits – how and why they bet, the ongoing pain points they’re experiencing with payments and their thoughts on Responsible Gaming—we’ll be taking a deep dive into the results of the survey in our two-part webinar series starting at 10:00 ET on January 14^th, and we encourage all US-focused operators and regulators to join us.”

Gambling in the USA

Saracen Casino Resort Chooses QCI Chatalytics to Enhance Casino Operations with Integrated AI Solutions

Published

2 weeks ago

January 9, 2025

Adrienn Sarkany

Saracen Casino Resort has selected Quick Custom Intelligence’s (QCI) Chatalytics, an integrated AI-driven suite, to revolutionize its casino operations and elevate guest experiences. The QCI Chatalytics solution, which includes Slot Copilot, Player Copilot, Dashboard, and the Robot Button, leverages OpenAI integration to provide real-time insights and streamlined decision-making across the casino floor.

QCI Chatalytics offers a powerful blend of AI-powered tools designed to optimize both player and slot management. With Slot Copilot, operators gain enhanced capabilities for real-time slot performance monitoring, predictive analytics, and dynamic task assignment. Player Copilot delivers personalized player engagement by analyzing customer data to inform service decisions and reward recommendations. The Dashboard component offers an intuitive, real-time display of key metrics, enabling data-driven insights at a glance. Additionally, the innovative Robot Button automates routine processes, allowing staff to focus on higher-value tasks and improve overall efficiency.

Clayton Mason, Senior Director of Marketing of Saracen Casino Resort, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “Integrating QCI Chatalytics into our operations marks a significant step in our strategy to harness the power of AI. With advanced tools like the Robot button, Slot Copilot and Player Copilot, we can deliver a more tailored and efficient experience for our guests while gaining deeper insights into our gaming operations.”

Dr. Ralph Thomas, CEO of QCI, shared his vision for the collaboration: “We’re excited to bring the capabilities of QCI Chatalytics to Saracen Casino Resort. By integrating OpenAI technology, our solution provides unprecedented levels of automation and insight. We believe Chatalytics will play a crucial role in optimizing floor operations and enhancing guest satisfaction through real-time, data-driven decision-making.”

The QCI Chatalytics platform is part of Quick Custom Intelligence’s commitment to driving innovation in the gaming industry, offering a comprehensive suite of solutions to streamline operations and enhance the player experience.