The Virginia Lottery is marking March, Problem Gambling Awareness Month, by working with the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VCPG) to spotlight resources available in Virginia for people with gambling problems.
Beginning March 1, the Lottery begins a campaign aimed at raising awareness. This includes a public service announcement, produced by the Lottery in partnership with the VCPG, encouraging people with questions about problem gambling to call the Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline. The Lottery also will use paid media to raise awareness of the helpline, along with the Lottery’s popular social media platforms, point-of-sale items, informational brochures, posters, outreach to the Lottery’s player database, and more. In addition, every Virginia Lottery ticket displays the helpline number.
The Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline, 1-888-532-3500, is toll-free, confidential and available 24/7 via phone, text or chat. The helpline was created by the Virginia Lottery in 1999 and is now operated by the VCPG with funding from the Lottery. Calling the helpline can be a vital first step for someone with a gambling problem or someone who thinks a loved one may have a problem.
“As forms of legalized gambling continue to increase in the Commonwealth, it’s vital that all Virginians know how a person or a loved one can seek help for gambling addiction,” said Virginia Lottery Interim Executive Director Tony Russell. “The Lottery is committed to leading the effort to raise awareness in Virginia.”
“Calls to the Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline have increased exponentially over the past five years, spiking 973% between 2019 and 2023,” said Dr. Carolyn Hawley, President of the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling. “The VCPG is proud to work in partnership with the Virginia Lottery to raise awareness about the risks associated with gambling and to let all Virginians know that support and resources are readily available, not only during March but throughout the year.”
The Virginia Lottery administers the state’s Voluntary Exclusion Program (VEP) that allows people to exclude themselves (2 years, 5 years, or lifetime) from participating in certain legalized gambling in Virginia, whether regulated by the Virginia Lottery, the Virginia Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs, or the Virginia Racing Commission. This includes account-based Virginia Lottery games; online sports betting; charitable gaming (raffle, bingo, network bingo, and instant bingo); betting on horse racing (live racing, off-track betting, historical horse racing; and advance deposit account wagering. For more information or to sign up, go to valottery.com/playingmatters/voluntaryexclusionprogram.
A portion of the tax revenue from regulated gaming entities (sports betting and casinos) is directed to the Problem Gambling Treatment and Support Fund, which provides ongoing financial support for problem gambling in the Commonwealth. This funding source is administered by Virginia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services for gambling addiction prevention and treatment.