Spike of Calls Reported by West Virginia Gambling Helpline

West Virginia was among the states that legalized and launched sports betting back in 2018. The launch of legal betting was the same year PASPA was struck down by the US Supreme Court, greenlighting the expansion of the activity across the country.

Since 2018, more than half of the US states have legalized and launched betting. Understandably, this resulted in concerns related to the impact of the activity, especially among young adults.

Across the country, a notable increase in the number of gambling helpline calls is seen and West Virginia is no exception. Shelia Moran, the director of marketing and communications at the West Virginia Problem Gambling Help Network, who was recently interviewed by WSAZ, spoke about the increase in gambling helpline calls.

The Number of Gambling Helpline Calls Doubled in 2023

Moran said that the number of people in West Virginia who sought help through the Problem Gambling Help Network was nearly 1,200 last year. Concerningly, the number of calls has increased exponentially, effectively doubling in 2023, she admitted.

According to the executive, there was a notable change in the demographics of the callers too. Per Moran’s words, previously, the Problem Gambling Help Network received calls from middle-aged people who sometimes complained about excessive video poker or slots gambling.

In contrast, she said that currently, a majority of the callers are young and usually use a mobile device to engage in sports betting or casino gambling. The West Virginia Problem Gambling Help Network’s executive also acknowledged that more young men are reaching out for help.

“We used to get more calls from women and middle-aged people when most played slots or video poker machines. Now, most callers use mobile devices to bet, either casino games or sports, and we get more calls from younger men.“

Shelia Moran, director of marketing and communications at the West Virginia Problem Gambling Help Network

More Calls from Problem Gamblers Are Expected

Earlier this month, the 2024 National Football League (NFL) season started. After the kickoff on September 5, the season will run through February 9, 2025.

According to Moran, football is the most popular sport for wagers in the country. In that line of thought, she predicted that a further increase in the number of calls is expected in the upcoming months.

To prevent excessive gambling and harm, the West Virginia Problem Gambling Help Network encourages bettors to set deposit and time limits and stick to them. Guidelines by the network encourage gamblers to see the activity as a form of entertainment and never to engage in chasing losses.

Besides calling or sending a text message to 1-800-GAMBLER, people affected by problem gambling in West Virginia can also enter an online chat via 1800Gambler.net. In addition to the efforts of the Problem Gambling Help Network, sportsbooks offer a range of responsible gambling tools, including deposit, bet limits, cool-off periods and exclusion options.