Florida Helpline Sees Uptick in Problem Gambling Calls

Florida has seen an increase in calls to the state helpline due to surges in the numbers of people seeking help for gambling-related harm or problem gambling. According to the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, much of this has been driven by the legalization of sports gambling.

Florida’s Problem Gamblers Are on the Rise

Since last year, Hard Rock Bet has been fully available to state residents of the legal gambling age, with the number of calls increasing ever since the betting app launched and allowed state residents to place wagers with a regulated entity rather than seek out dodgy offshore websites.

Based on the information provided by the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, there have been 61,000 calls to the helpline in 2024, up from the 34,000 registered in 2023, or an 88% increase altogether.

Recovering from gambling addiction can be a difficult process, argues Resurgence Tampa Bay CEO Forrest Arthur, who says that because of the ability to carry a betting app with one’s phone, a person looking to recover will “really struggle.”

These numbers, expects the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, may go even higher, as presently, Florida, much like any other state, is caught in the midst of the March Madness betting frenzy which is expected to see as much as $3.1 billion placed legally on the outcome of college-level basketball games.

Although gambling has become more accessible, and the regulated market is much better protected when it comes to player safety, Arthur urges people who are not certain about gambling to avoid the activity altogether.

Tougher Laws on Illegal Gambling and an Appeal to Not Engage

This is the best way to avoid experiencing gambling-related harm or developing a gambling problem, he argues. Florida has been laser-focused on eliminating the clout of illegal gambling from the state, ousting operators, and going after illegal land-based businesses over the past months.

The state’s regulator and lawmakers have also pronounced themselves in support of tougher measures against illegal gambling businesses and stiffer repercussions for perpetrators of such offenses.