Latest news with #NationalProblemGamblingAwarenessMonth
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Oregonians are gambling away billions
When it comes to addictive behaviors, gambling is one of the most ubiquitous – and among the most underrecognized, a counselor says. (Stock photo) When it comes to addictive behaviors, gambling is one of the most ubiquitous – and yet also among the most undertreated and underrecognized. From the stock market to cryptocurrency to memecoins to bingo to sports betting—and even elections—gambling is embedded into Americans' lives. Video games, social media, and phone apps now expose even young, developing brains to gambling behaviors in ever-increasing, often undetected ways. This normalized, ongoing access builds potentially addictive behavior from childhood through adolescence and across adulthood. Estimates indicate around 88,000 Oregonians meet the diagnosis for gambling addiction, with another 180,000 Oregonians currently at risk for developing the addiction, yet Oregon's Problem Gambling Services treated only 796 people in FY22-23 (the most recent year for which data is available). March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month, but Oregonians deserve sustained, year-round treatment, support, and prevention. For decades, state governments have viewed gambling as an instant ticket to increased revenue. But the means by which people could legally gamble remained limited until a 2018 Supreme Court decision allowed states to authorize sports betting. The following year, Oregon Lottery launched Scoreboard, a betting app that allowed Oregonians online access to sports gambling. The capacity of the app was soon overwhelmed by the millions of bets being placed. To provide 'a better user experience' (a troubling term when ease-of-use can drive addiction), in 2022 Oregon replaced Scoreboard with DraftKings, an app owned by a publicly traded company with national reach. The availability of these state-promoted sports betting apps has had irrefutable effects: In October 2019, when Scoreboard first became available, individual Oregonians gambled $5.6 million on sports-related wagers. By December of 2024, Oregonians were wagering over $90 million a month on sports. The cumulative total spent as of March 2025 is over $2.7 billion. That's just from Oregonians, just on sports betting. Despite the increasing ease with which people can now gamble, the two biggest barriers to addressing the issue remain fairly constant: identifying when gambling has become a problem and finding counselors who are trained to treat it effectively. Devastating though it can be, problem gambling often persists because it can remain hidden more easily than some other addictions. As one physician who specializes in treating addictions notes, 'gambling challenges our usual assumptions about addiction and risk,' because 'its harms extend far beyond the most severe cases.' As with all addictions, we need more prevention and early intervention for problem gambling. Because gambling is built into so many online games and apps, people of all ages need education about how to 'play' safely and how to recognize and respond to early signs of problem gambling. Aspects of treating problem gambling can be similar to treating other addictions, but treatment also requires gambling-specific approaches. Gambling counselors often need to help clients recognize myths about gambling; understand cultural ideas around risk, luck, and skill that can influence gambling behavior; and address pressures around financial success and security that can contribute to continued gambling. Because problem gambling can impact the financial, emotional, and even physical well-being of an entire family, treatment includes family members whenever possible, an approach that helps with risk mitigation and increases success rates. Lewis & Clark's Problem Gambling Services works to meet this immense need by providing free in-person and telehealth treatment to Oregonians. The program trains new mental health counselors to use approaches from individual therapy, marriage and family therapy, and addiction treatment to meet the specific needs of people affected by problem gambling. Now, through a new partnership with Oregon Health Authority, Lewis & Clark is also training providers in other parts of the state, including providing the clinical supervision they need to become Certified Gambling Addiction Counselors. The Oregon Lottery's current advertising slogan is 'When you play, Oregon wins.' But too many Oregonians are still losing too much. Currently, the Oregon Lottery contributes about 1% of their total revenue to problem gambling awareness and treatment. The provider training, counseling services, peer mentor services, and other supports made possible by this funding is extremely important. But as access to addictive gambling opportunities anytime, anywhere increases, devoting 1% of revenue is not enough. Oregon needs to invest in more statewide efforts like the OHA/L&C partnership, if we want to play fair and ensure that all Oregonians win. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Preston Spire's New Campaign Stars Room-Destroying Elephant to Encourage People to Talk about Problem Gambling
The new work created for the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling encourages people to talk about the family-destroying "elephant in the room" MINNEAPOLIS, March 20, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For two million Minnesotans, there is an elephant in the room that is destroying those failing to address the growing issue of problem gambling. With an estimated 250,000 problem gamblers in the state, and each of those affecting up to 10 others in their lives, Minneapolis advertising agency Preston Spire has produced a new campaign for the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling (MNAPG) timed with National Problem Gambling Awareness Month in March. The new campaign, "Let's Talk About It," is running across digital platforms in Minnesota to get people talking about problem gambling, a topic that is too often left unaddressed — the proverbial "elephant in the room." The PSA visuals are centered in a darkened and destructed American family room with tables overturned, busted lamps, "past due" bills strewn upon the floor and smashed family photo picture frames. Coupled with the visuals is a voiceover that charts the stark statistics of problem gambling, which closes with the message: "If you suspect someone you love has gambling addiction, it's time to talk about the elephant in the room" — with the closing shot revealing the metaphoric elephant among the ruin in the room. The new work is a follow-up to Preston Spire's first PSA for MNAPG, the gripping, award-winning "Just As Real." "An African Elephant weighs 13,000 pounds. But it's still lighter than the burden of a gambling addiction on Minnesota families," says Brett Essman, Creative Director, Preston Spire. "We wanted to do something bold and memorable to counter the hundreds of millions being spent on gambling marketing and let people know that pretending not to see the problem won't make it go away." Those who are concerned a loved one may have a gambling problem can find tips and information at The new campaign launches during Problem Gambling Awareness Month in March and is part of MNAPG's efforts to raise awareness that gambling treatment is free in Minnesota. The timing is especially relevant given the frenzy of betting action surrounding the NCAA's March Madness basketball tournament, coupled with the Minnesota Legislature again debating to legalize sports betting. "Problem gambling is a serious issue that requires serious discussions among families and loved ones, but unfortunately, it's far too often left ignored, and as a result, ultimately tears families apart," says Susan Sheridan Tucker, Executive Director, MNAPG. "Our hope is this message educates and encourages Minnesotans to start the conversation and seek out resources to address a loved one's gambling problem so they can find the treatment they need." Sheridan Tucker encourages those seeking help to call the Minnesota Helpline at 1-800-333-4673. For more information about MNAPG and tools for increasing awareness of problem gambling, visit About Preston SpirePreston Spire is a fiercely independent, full-service, employee-owned creative agency known for delivering Good Wins to ambitious marketers ready to create sustainable business growth. This approach has earned Preston Spire recognition as one of Ad Age's 2024 & 2025 Best Places to Work, 2024 Ad Age Small Agency Campaign of the Year, Ad Age Midwest Small Agency of the Year, and a spot among the Top 25 Independent Agencies on the Effie Effectiveness Index. Learn more: visit and follow on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. View source version on Contacts Nathan Sign in to access your portfolio
