By
Phil
– January 3, 2023
Ohio For Responsible Gambling (ORG), which was legalized in sports betting, launched an effort to inform Ohioans about the dangers and ways to gamble responsibly.
Stop Before You Play was created as a spinoff from Get Ready Before You Bet which is an internationally recognized problem gambling education program by ORG.
Amanda Blackford is the Director of Operations and Problem Gambling Services at Ohio Casino Control Commission. She said that this campaign emphasizes responsible gambling and the dangers of betting on sports.
Blackford stated that people can place bets on sports from “basically anywhere” with cell reception, brick-and mortar locations and digital terminals at bars that have a liquor licence and are selling lottery tickets. It’s possible to place multiple wagers at once, increasing the risk of losing a lot. People can also conceal how much they have bet.
Blackford stated that “in other states which preceded Ohio’s legalization of sports betting, there was higher interest and more struggle with problem gambling.” We want everyone to enjoy and take responsibility.
Derek Longmeier is the Executive Director of the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio. He said that the campaign stresses the importance of detection early. The problem gamblers aren’t diagnosed with any physical signs.
He said that problem gambling is more than just the individual placing a wager. Gambling addiction can have devastating consequences for families, children and businesses.
According to a 2017 study, casino and sports gambling had respectively the highest levels of problem/at-risk gambling at 24.0% and 24,3%. Blackford stated that those who gamble regularly have higher rates of substance abuse and mental disorders, such as thoughts or suicide.
According to the 2017 Report on Problem Gambling Services, nearly one-tenth of Ohioans gamblers are experiencing or at risk for developing a gambling problem. This is more than 990,000 Ohioans.
Longmeier stated that “the majority of Ohioans who play poker will keep within their means.” It makes perfect sense to expect more problems in Ohio as sports betting increases exponentially by 2023.
