Unfunded Problem Gambling in Florida intensifies as Super Bowl approaches
Florida's Gambling Helpline in Crisis During Super Bowl Season
With the Super Bowl just around the corner, Florida's gambling problem hotline finds itself in a dire state – lacking state funding at the worst possible time.
South Florida's Gambling Hotline Overwhelmed
The launch of Hard Rock Bet has seen calls to Florida's gambling helpline skyrocket, nearly doubling to a whopping 63,000 in 2024 alone. The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG), the only organization equipped to handle these calls, is struggling to keep up, with seven staff members juggling over 170 calls and texts per day. The helpline, intended to serve as a lifeline for troubled sports bettors, is barely keeping its head above water without state support.
The state once provided $2 million annually for gambling support services, but that funding vanished in July 2024, due to bureaucratic snafus. Now, the FCCG relies solely on funding from the Seminole Tribe, operators of Hard Rock Bet.
Super Bowl Sunday: Gambling’s Biggest Day, Bigger Risks
Super Bowl Sunday, the annual spectacle of pro football, is the biggest gambling day of the year. Millions of dollars will be wagered on everything from the game's outcome to coin toss odds and the color of the Gatorade dump. Yet, with no state-backed resources for those who lose control, problem gamblers are left in a lurch.
The boom in legal sports betting, fueled by incessant ads, celebrity endorsements, and easy mobile access, has created an explosion in young gamblers. Nearly 60% of male college students now bet on sports, and many develop issues before turning 21.
Dr. Keith Buckley, a professor and coach at Rollins College, likens the situation to an alcoholic living in a bar: "It's not a crisis yet, but it's going to be," he said. "There's no visual appearance that someone is a compulsive and addicted gambler."
The Future of Florida's Gamblers
Enjoy the Super Bowl betting action, Florida sports bettors, but keep in mind, the lack of a sufficiently funded helpline highlights a concerning trend – while betting platforms continue to expand, responsible gambling resources are falling behind. With billions of dollars bet on sports in Florida each year, the state has the means to fund gambling support. The question now is whether Florida will step up and ensure those in need can get the help they deserve, or if they'll continue to leave problem gamblers out to dry.
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News Tags: Florida | Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling | Hard Rock Bet | Keith Buckley | Problem Gambling | Rollins College | Super Bowl | Super Bowl 59
Michael MolterAfter spending time scouting college basketball for Florida State University under Leonard Hamilton and the University of Alabama under Anthony Grant, Michael started writing focused on NBA content. A graduate of both schools, he now covers legal sports betting bills, sports betting revenue data, tennis betting odds, and sportsbook reviews. Michael enjoys playing basketball, hiking, and kayaking when not glued to the TV watching lower-tier tennis matches.
PS: Florida's gambling problem helpline has been experiencing a surge in calls since the launch of Hard Rock Bet, reaching 63,000 in 2024 alone. Despite this, the helpline is underfunded, resulting from bureaucratic issues that led to a cessation of $2 million in annual state support in July 2024. This funding shortage has left the organization, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG), struggling to meet demand, with just seven staff members handling more than 170 calls and texts per day.
Moreover, the Super Bowl, with its high levels of gambling activity, poses additional risks for problem gamblers, many of whom may not seek help due to the lack of available resources. The normalization of legal sports betting and its subsequent explosion in young gamblers, 60% of whom are male college students, has further exacerbated the situation.
In conclusion, the lack of sufficient funding for gambling support services in Florida during the Super Bowl highlights a concerning trend. The state has the means to fund gambling support, and it's crucial for Florida to step up and provide much-needed resources to address responsible gambling issues.
The surge in calls to Florida's gambling helpline is a significant concern, particularly during the Super Bowl season, as the launch of Hard Rock Bet has nearly doubled the number of calls. The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling is struggling to keep up, with underfunding leaving them without the necessary resources.
With the Super Bowl being the biggest gambling day of the year, the situation becomes increasingly dire as problem gamblers lack support when they lose control. The rise in legal sports betting has led to an increase in young gamblers, many of whom develop issues before turning 21.
In light of the billions of dollars bet on sports in Florida each year, it's crucial for the state to step up and fund gambling support services to ensure those in need can get the help they deserve. The continued expansion of betting platforms without adequate responsible gambling resources is a concerning trend that needs to be addressed.
