Vermont introduces new website to aid problem gamblers

The state of Vermont is doubling down on helping bettors who may be experiencing gambling-related issues.

This is thanks to a new website launched by the Vermont Department of Mental Health, which seeks to raise awareness about gambling-related harm and also link people who may be suffering from the condition to the available solutions.

New website seeks to tackle sprawling gambling-related harm in Vermont

Gambling-related harm in the state may predate the original launch of sports betting, which commenced six months ago, but has been preceded by the black market which had people gamble, but with little discretion and consideration for their safety.

Now, Vermont is trying to address the legacy of the offshore market and also create an infrastructure to help sports bettors who may tip into excess because of the regulated market through the launch of the new website.

The Department of Mental Health estimates that there are some 11,600 people in state-wide who are struggling with gambling addiction. Dr. Kelley Klein, the Medical Director at the Department of Mental Health, has welcomed the launch of the new website, and said that people were already showing signs of addiction at the time when only lottery and scratch-off tickets were available.

However, the arrival of online sports betting has led to further complications. "We knew that when online sports betting went live, we would have a rise in individuals that were at least at risk of problem gambling or addiction," Dr. Klein added.

The website itself focuses on working in two ways. First, it attempts to comprehensively raise awareness about the issue and destigmatize it. The resources are designed to help people who may be suffering from gambling-related harm or have a loved one who does identify the problem and knows that they need help.

Empowering people to fight back against problem gambling

The second part of the website is to link people to the resources available at their disposal state-wide to begin addressing the problem. Dr. Klein believes that the website will have success with both, as some individuals may not even know they have a problem, but have started noticing erratic behavior and spending related to their gambling.

This is where the website will prove helpful. Players may also reach out to gambling addiction specialists and medical providers through the website, along with training sessions to help improve the state’s understanding of problem gambling and how to identify it.

The website can be found at VTGamblingHelp.org which you can visit if you are based in Vermont to get help or learn more about gambling-related harm.

Image credit: Flickr (@J. Stephen Conn)