NPR Blasts Legal Sports Betting, Claims Help for Problem Gamblers Limited
National Public Radio, commonly known as NPR, stated in a Saturday report that assistance for individuals who develop a gambling addiction related to sports is scarce.
In an article released on Saturday, Katia Riddle, an NPR journalist who reports on mental health issues for the public broadcasting entity based in Washington, DC, stated that “March Madness is a time for wagering, but support for gambling problems is difficult to locate.”
Is that really the case? Every state that allows sports betting mandates that sportsbook operators incorporate responsible gaming messages and advertise available help resources.
Riddle and various mental health professionals assert that it falls short. They think federal funding is essential to properly support individuals with sports betting issues.
"National advocates warn treatment is underfunded, especially compared to the billions of dollars of investment that the federal government puts into resources for addiction to alcohol, tobacco, and other substances,” wrote Riddle.
Cait Huble, a representative for the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), concurs.
“There’s no federal funding for gambling addiction. It is several decades behind it in terms of public opinion and recognition of it as a mental health condition,” Huble said.
NPR Analysis
NPR is encountering a wave of criticism from Republicans after NPR President Katherine Maher admitted that the news outlet has made several coverage errors previously. Maher admitted that the network was incorrect to treat the Hunter Biden laptop issue as a “non-story.”
The Congress led by the GOP is considering whether to reduce or eliminate government financing for NPR and PBS. In a heated hearing this week with the Committee on Oversight & Government Reform, Maher stated that NPR delivers essential, impartial news to countless Americans.
“I do not believe we are politically biased,” Maher stated. “We are a non-biased organization.”
A lot of Republicans believe that is not the case.
Regarding gaming, NPR's Saturday report apparently critiques the industry for operating “a business model based on addiction.”
“There’s no revenue without the addicted gambler,” declared Les Bernal of the advocacy group, Stop Predatory Gambling.
Sector Defense
According to the American Gaming Association, the lawful, regulated commercial and tribal gaming sectors provide approximately $130 million annually for “services, prevention, and treatments for problem gambling.” Approximately $100 million from casino gaming taxes is allocated each year for services addressing problem gambling.
The AGA is also progressing with its responsible sports betting initiative, “Have A Game Plan.” Initiated in 2019, following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to eliminate the federal prohibition on sports betting, the effort “brings together leagues, teams, media, sportsbooks, and other key industry participants to make sports betting education accessible to fans.”
The public service initiative urges gamblers to establish a budget, maintain a social and enjoyable atmosphere, comprehend the odds, and wager solely with licensed sportsbooks.
According to the AGA, individuals who struggle to adhere to their game plan should consider the National Problem Gambling Helpline as a beneficial resource for finding assistance. The 1-800-GAMBLER hotline automatically directs callers to their local resource agency, where counselors are accessible around the clock, every day of the year.
