As the NCAA Basketball Tournament draws close, and Problem Gambling Awareness Month begins, the Ohio Gambling Telehealth Network (OGTN) has announced that it is preparing to assist players who may struggle with problem gambling.
According to Derek Longemeier, Executive Director of Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, the statistics of problem gambling in the Buckeye State are such that one in five adults are considered at risk. This is approximately 20 percent of Ohio’s population or 1.8 million people.
"March Madness can be a perfect storm for those who don't set limits and stick to them. There are multiple games and live betting options available on multiple betting sites all happening at once. It's easy for fun to spiral into crisis,” Longemeier said.
“Those who think they have a problem are starting to ask for help more quickly. If you or a loved one are experiencing gambling-related harm, help is only a phone call away. It’s never too soon to reach out,” he added.
Ohio’s gambling hotline allows players to seek group therapy, individual counseling, self-help groups, or financial management support as and when they require it.
The Start of Problem Gambling Awareness Month
In addition to the OGTN’s announcement, March 1 kick-started Problem Gambling Awareness Month across the United States. Last week, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) announced this year’s theme of “Seeking Understanding,” stating that the aim is to “increase awareness of problem gambling as a serious yet often misunderstood mental health condition.”
MGM Resorts and its online sportsbook BetMGM have already announced their campaign for the month. The company announced it would expand on its problem gambling partnerships in March, including previous partnerships with the Kindbridge Research Institute, Kindbridge Behavioral Health, the British Columbia Lottery Corporation, and the University of Nevada.
The OGTN is ready to assist during March Madness
To those who follow the NCAA Basketball Tournament, March is also known as March Madness. It is scheduled to start with Selection Sunday on March 16 and run through until the NCAA championship game on April 7 in San Antonio, Texas.
Bets on the tournament are anticipated to reach $3 billion across the United States, and the American Gaming Association (AGA) expects the value of legal betting to get twice the value of the legal bets placed during the Super Bowl. The AGA also announced that in 2024, Americans wagered $150 billion on legal sportsbooks.
The OGTN is taking this opportunity to highlight problem gambling on a state level.
Longemeier commented, “March Madness can be a perfect storm for those who don’t set limits and stick to them. There are multiple games and live betting options available on multiple betting sites all happening at once. It’s easy for fun to spiral into crisis.”
With players and reporters already debating the potential outcomes of the tournament, Longmeier and the OGTN are standing by for any players who may need assistance.
