WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. – March is recognized as Problem Gambling Awareness Month, coinciding with the major sports betting event, March Madness.
Since online sports betting became legal in Michigan, local experts say they have seen a significant increase in problem gambling.
Problem gambling is something that often sneaks up on people -- they start with small bets for entertainment, but over time, those bets and losses add up. There’s a struggle to make up those losses, and even if the person does get out of the red, they can’t stop -- and it can all happen without ever leaving your home.
Chris Nixon is the director of the Henry Ford Maplegrove, a rehabilitation center in West Bloomfield. It’s a red flag when people spend more than they can afford and when they chase losses.
There are other indicators that a person’s gambling is a problem, but the fact is online gambling poses real risks to vulnerable individuals.
“The last four years, since the legalization, we have seen an increase in online gambling, sports betting,” Nixon said. “Specifically, we’ve seen an increase of right around 75%.”
The first step toward help is as simple as picking up the phone and calling 1-800-GAMBLER to speak with a counselor who understands.