CINCINNATI (WKRC) – As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, gambling addiction specialists are urging bettors to exercise caution.

Michael Stone, executive director of the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling, said that betting on the big game can be risky, especially with the wide array of novelty bets available, such as the color of the Gatorade bath or the outcome of the coin toss.

Stone noted that the state hotline he tracks has seen a year-to-year increase in calls, indicating a growing concern over gambling issues.

Dr. Chris Tuell, an addiction specialist at Ohio’s Lindner Center of Hope, said, “When you compare suicide rates from the Ohio area he tracks of about 15 in every 100,000 to areas where gambling is big business, the numbers are concerning.”

To gamble responsibly on game day, specialists suggest setting a time limit and a budget for betting. If sticking to these limits proves difficult, they advise seeking help.

The National Problem Gambling Helpline, available at 1-800-GAMBLER, offers support across all 50 states, with online information and referral services provided by the National Council on Problem Gambling.