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National Public Radio (NPR) has raised concerns over the lack of support available for individuals struggling with sports betting addiction, arguing that resources for problem gamblers are scarce. In a report published on Saturday, NPR correspondent Katia Riddle, who focuses on mental health issues, stated, "March Madness is a season for betting, but help for problem gambling is hard to find."
However, every state where sports betting is legal mandates that sportsbook operators include responsible gaming messaging and promote resources for those in need. Despite these measures, Riddle and some mental health experts believe that they are insufficient and that federal funding is necessary to properly address problem sports betting.
"National advocates warn treatment is underfunded, especially compared to the billions of dollars of investment that the federal government puts into resources for addiction to alcohol, tobacco, and other substances," Riddle wrote.
Cait Huble, a spokesperson for the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), echoed these concerns, emphasizing the absence of federal financial support for gambling addiction treatment. "There’s no federal funding for gambling addiction. It is several decades behind it in terms of public opinion and recognition of it as a mental health condition," Huble said.
NPR has recently come under fire from Republican lawmakers following comments by NPR President Katherine Maher, who admitted that the organization had made mistakes in its past coverage. Specifically, Maher acknowledged that NPR was wrong to dismiss the controversy surrounding Hunter Biden’s laptop as a "non-story."
The GOP-controlled Congress is currently debating whether to cut or eliminate government funding for NPR and PBS. During a contentious hearing before the Committee on Oversight & Government Reform, Maher defended NPR’s editorial approach, stating, "I do not believe we are politically biased. We are a non-biased organization."
Many Republican legislators disagree with Maher’s assertion.
In relation to the gambling industry, NPR’s report appeared to take a critical stance, describing it as "a business model based on addiction." Les Bernal, a representative of the advocacy group Stop Predatory Gambling, asserted, "There’s no revenue without the addicted gambler."
The American Gaming Association (AGA) pushed back against this characterization, emphasizing the industry's contributions to responsible gambling programs. According to the AGA, the legal, regulated commercial and tribal gaming sectors allocate approximately $130 million annually to "problem gambling services, preventions, and treatments." Additionally, about $100 million in casino gaming tax revenue is directed toward problem gambling initiatives each year.
The AGA has also continued to enhance its responsible sports betting campaign, "Have A Game Plan," which was launched in 2019. This initiative "convenes leagues, teams, media, sportsbooks, and other important industry stakeholders to make sports betting education approachable for fans." The campaign encourages responsible betting practices, such as setting a budget, keeping betting social and enjoyable, understanding the odds, and using only legal sportsbooks.
For those struggling with gambling addiction, the AGA highlights the National Problem Gambling Helpline as a vital resource. By calling 1-800-GAMBLER, individuals are automatically connected to their state’s resource agency, where trained counselors are available around the clock, every day of the year.
By fLEXI tEAM