Research Showing Rise in Gambling Addictions
Thursday, October 14th, 2010One of the major concerns of gambling opponents is the rise in addictions. They believe that with the growing number of places for people to wager, it may create an impossible situation for those with a proclivity for addiction. Consider that the number of land based casino options are rising at record rates and online gambling companies are already available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, and it is easy to see how addicts could be in serious trouble. Opponents of legalizing gambling are maintaining that the problems with a rise in addictions could also be exacerbated by the lack of proper places to help them. There are a very limited number of gamblers anonymous focus centers throughout the states. If substantial rises in addicts come into the market, they could have a serious problem. Add to that the fact that with addiction comes other problems like foreclosure, repossessions, financial collapse and loss of families, it means that there could be a recipe for disaster happening in the market.
There is also another concern. In Florida a new study is showing that the state run lottery is showing the greatest rise in addicts and crating the most calls to gambling anonymous telephone hotlines. Part of the problem is how many lottery options are available for Floridians. There is the state run lottery and it offers a wide range of gambling options plus it was also expanded considerably last year in scope. Now there are scratch-off card available via vending machines that are located in various retail outlets. These machines are convenient and make purchasing tickets almost automatic. This could be part of the problem—the lottery is so accessible to gamers that it is making it hard for them to say no to purchasing tickets. Gamblers anonymous centers are noting record numbers of calls. The unique thing about the call center is that people can call in anonymously and get counseling for their addictions. They can talk to someone more than once too and continue with their progress as they try to manage through their addictions. This could be a concern for gambling companies that are looking to legalize gambling in the future. They need to have the proper safeguards in place for people who may fall into addiction and the resources needed to help them from financial disaster.

