Arizona recognizes March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The Arizona Department of Gaming’s Division of Problem Gambling (Division) and the Arizona Lottery announced that Governor Katie Hobbs has issued a new Proclamation recognizing March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month. Additionally, the Division and the Arizona Lottery recognize 10 March as Gambling Disorder Screening Day.

“Arizona is a longtime supporter of Problem Gambling Awareness Month – a national grassroots campaign that raises understanding and appreciation that gambling related harm is a community issue,” said Elise Mikkelsen, Division Director. “New this year, the National Council of Problem Gambling’s theme Caring Communities. Stronger Futures. reminds us that screening for problem gambling is here in Arizona – and it’s useful in connecting people to the knowledge and resources they need.”

“Responsible gaming is an important part of the Arizona Lottery’s commitment to players across the state,” said Alec Thomson, Executive Director of the Arizona Lottery. “During Problem Gambling Awareness Month, we are proud to highlight the resources available to Arizonans and the work being done to promote responsible play. Through our partnership with the Arizona Department of Gaming, Division of Problem Gambling, we continue to support education, awareness, and access to help for those who may need it.”

The majority of Arizonans – 61 percent – support the government working to increase awareness of problem gambling resources. Meanwhile, when seeing health providers, only seven percent of Arizonans report that they have been screened for, or asked about their gambling habits, compared to 50 percent being asked about substance use. An estimated three to four percent of Arizona residents age 21+ are predicted to manifest a current gambling disorder – a term used to describe persistent and recurrent problem gambling behavior leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.*

The quiz is designed to take only a few minutes and uses the responses to generate information and resources on possible next steps – including state subsidized treatment available from a list of qualified health and treatment providers. Gambling can take many forms, such as lottery, casino gaming, sports betting, bingo, raffles, office pools, and poker.

Held the second Tuesday of every March, Gambling Disorder Screening Day represents an international movement by the Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Addiction that encourages provider-level and community-level knowledge about gambling disorder. It advocates that health screens for problem gambling are a useful tool to identify and start addressing the issue.

In problem gambling awareness, prevention is also important. The Arizona Lottery uses consumer and retail marketing to spark education and engagement while drawing awareness to problem gambling resources – particularly the free, 24/7 availability of immediate help, and the availability of qualified, problem gambling trained support professionals.

According to the Division and the Lottery, key ways to get effective and immediate help for those experiencing problem gambling are:

- Texting NEXTSTEP to 53342

- Using the chat function at problemgambling.az.gov

- Calling 1-800-NEXT-STEP

- Calling a trained, state contracted provider listed online – simply mention you are seeking support through the Division of Problem Gambling to qualify for state subsidized treatment resources

The toolkit has pre-packaged social media copy and creative assets designed for businesses, state agencies, and residents to amplify the issue across a range of audiences. The Division and the Lottery encourages others to spread awareness in their organizations and communities.