BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month. It is an opportunity to raise awareness of problems and disordered gambling as a public health issue.

According to the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling, in Kentucky, individuals seeking information regarding a gambling problem or disorder steadily increased over the last decade. The number also increased significantly since the advent of legal sports gambling.

Counselors at Kentucky’s Community Mental Health Centers advised the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling (KYCPG) when registering for conferences that an increasing number of people have issues with gambling.

According to the release, average monthly calls, texts and chats with the 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800–426-2537) helpline increased 250 percent over the sports gambling monthly averages, and reportable services (referral to Gamblers Anonymous, referral to counselors or Community Mental Health Centers, or sent explanatory and self-screening literature) increased by a monthly average of 65 percent.

Gambling is a problem when an individual continues to gamble in spite of continuing, negative results. The American Psychiatric Association in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders classifies Disordered gambling as an addictive behavior.

Disordered gambling impacts more than 60,000 Kentuckians, according to survey results. The survey also indicates more than 165,000 Kentuckians have a gambling problem, per the release.

During Problem Gambling Awareness Month, the council advises people who gamble to do so responsibly. Before gambling, ask and answer three questions before any opportunity so the gambling can remain fun.

• WHETHER to gamble? — Will gambling interfere with your responsibilities? Losing is likely and you cannot control chance.
• WHEN to gamble? — Are you free of stress? Gambling is not a healthy way to deal with emotions or stress.
• HOW MUCH to gamble? — Have you set limits? Gambling is entertainment, not an essential use of time or money. If you do choose to gamble remember to keep track of pre-set time and money limits, take frequent breaks, and avoid ATMs or other immediate sources of money or credit.

There are also two events scheduled to help raise awareness about gambling.

March 11 is Gambling Disorder Screening Day. Behavioral health and medical practitioners will raise awareness and educate about problems and disordered gambling at their offices, clinics and practices.

The Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling (KYCPG) 28th Annual Educational and Awareness Conference will be held in Florence at the Cincinnati Airport Hilton from March 13-14.

The conference will feature presentations from credentialed experts on the identification, treatment and prevention of problem gambling.

The event is open to the public but registration is required, and scholarships are available at request.

Registration and conference details are available at www.kycpg.org.

Call, text, or chat with a trained counselor at 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) if you want or need to talk with someone about your gambling. You can also go to www.kygamblinghelp.org, a website provided by KYCPG for awareness information and a self-screen for gambling addiction.

KYCPG stresses that recovery from a gambling problem is possible once someone realizes and admits he or she needs help.

Copyright 2025 WBKO. All rights reserved.