Louisiana has resources in place to treat gambling addiction as sports wagering grows in popularity

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Individuals throughout the state have wagered almost $1.5 billion on sports activities up to now this 12 months, based on Louisiana Gaming Board Chairman Ronnie Johns.

Nevertheless, some consider there’s a significant downside brewing amid this success.

“Proper now, it’s the hype. It’s the hype. They’re getting them in and baiting them in. It’s the hype, however when it’s gone, watch what occurs,” Matricia Inexperienced stated.

Inexperienced is a licensed dependancy counselor and an authorized compulsive playing counselor.

She says the rise in recognition round sports activities betting will result in extra individuals falling to dependancy, and he or she and different advocates are making ready for what’s to return.

“When you find yourself coping with a compulsive gambler, and for those who don’t understand how, you’re going to have an issue,” Inexperienced stated.

State officers say this was an issue they anticipated when sports activities wagering was legalized, and so they have put the instruments in place to supply assist.

“They’re pulling these packages collectively as a result of they know that is coming,” Inexperienced stated.

The Louisiana Division of Well being makes use of $2.5 million a 12 months from the Compulsive and Downside Gaming Fund to finance completely different playing dependancy remedies throughout the state.

The assets, counseling and assist are free to any state resident.

“It’s arduous to create the attention, till there’s a downside,” stated Robert Henson from the Workplace of Behavioral Well being. “We have now the infrastructure in place, we’re prepared, it’s simply to get the phrase out to Louisiana residents that these providers can be found.”

Inexperienced is happy with the state’s work, however she desires to see extra. She desires to see leaders open extra restoration services, rent extra clinicians, and supply coaching to employers to allow them to acknowledge the indicators of dependancy.

As she continues to advocate, she desires individuals to know there may be gentle on the finish of the tunnel.

“There may be assist,” Inexperienced stated.

As many as 280,000 Louisiana adults could also be concerned in downside playing, based on a 2016 examine performed by Workplace of Behavioral Well being (OBH).

Click on right here for a listing of playing service suppliers.

Household, mates and those that are combating downside playing are inspired to name the Louisiana Downside Playing Helpline at 1-877-770-STOP (7867).

For extra info and assets on downside playing, go to ldh.la.gov/AddictionRecovery.

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