March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month

March 24, 2015 Posted by NC Lottery at 11:47 AM

If you've ever seen one of our ads, bought a lottery ticket – or even picked up a pencil at a lottery play center – you've seen the number for the Problem Gambling Helpline.

Each March, we partner with the National Council on Problem Gambling and the N.C. Problem Gambling Program to highlight National Problem Gambling Awareness Month and resources that are available to support someone who might show signs of problem gambling. Those signs may include:

Preoccupation with gambling
Jeopardizing relationships, job or education opportunities
Trying to make up for losing by playing more
Declining work performance
Irritability when trying to cut back
Neglecting basic needs like money for food or rent
Pressuring others for money when financial problems come up
Lying about how the money is spent

The vast majority of players enjoy lottery games without issue. Still, problem gambling – whether it is playing the lottery or any other type of gambling – could affect nearly 2.9 percent of adults in our state.

The Problem Gambling Helpline provides information and treatment to individuals and the loved ones of those who may be dealing with problem gambling. Licensed counselors are available 24 hours a day to assist North Carolina residents and coordinate free, confidential in-person or phone-based counseling. For more information, visit MoreThanAGame.com or call 1-877-718-5543.

15 COMMENTS

3/28/2015 07:45 - Niesha W.

If 4-6% goes to the school then where the rest of the money goes....somebody pocket! NC Lottery
The bulk of it actually goes to winners! You can see the breakdown of where the money goes at http://nc-educationlottery.org/beneficiary.aspx.

3/28/2015 09:53 - Robert G.

If the NCEL contributes so much to education, then why does the media report the overall grade of schools and education in NC is a grade of 'C'? Seems that grade should be higher if the NCEL is contributing so many dollars. NC Lottery
It's important to remember that even though the lottery raised more than half a billion dollars last year, the lottery only accounts for 4-6% of the overall education budget. That said, we're very happy to do our part!

3/27/2015 09:40 - Donald S.

so if i claim a gambling problem will both nc and va refund my tens of thousands of dollars spent ib each state since neither state wants me to win any prize back over $100

3/26/2015 10:00 - Charles F.

If the state wanted to help they would not have passed a bill mandating more lotto advertising. That said, odds of winning are are posted. Please only play for fun.NC Lottery
Just a quick note, there has been no change in the law on how much the lottery spends on advertising. It has always been that the lottery can invest no more than 1 percent of revenue on advertising. And we follow strict guidelines in terms of the content of our ads. Thanks for taking time to comment and encourage responsible play!

3/26/2015 08:04 - oliVia b.

Why can I not post here?NC Lottery
You can. A moderator reviews all comments for vulgarity before posting. We also do it that way so that as comments and questions come in, we can respond. We try to do so in a timely fashion :-)

3/25/2015 11:14 - Betty R.

if there was a limit on wins as EARL2212 thinks should be... id quit buying lottery tickets. its the thrill of possible multi wins that keeps me coming back for more..

3/25/2015 05:56 - richard w.

will we ever be able to buy p3 and p4 aon on line subscriptions in the future too?NC Lottery
It's a possibility but there are no plans at this time.

3/25/2015 04:18 - Alexander F.

If I didn't have so much bills I would never had start playing all these games I am still waiting to win once I win big I will stop all these games..

3/25/2015 01:18 - Danielle R.

Why are you only allowed to enter 75 tickets a day?NC Lottery
The 75 ticket per-day limit was part of the plan when the NCEL received approval from the lottery commissioners to start the Lucke-Rewards program. It is possible that the limit could be changed in the future.

3/25/2015 08:51 - robert t.

Its all smoke & mirrors. i am a player and i bet that most people that play spend more than they should, it's all about the state making a large profit and the odds are not in the players favor,and when they come out with with new games it is not for you to win more but for the state to collect more. if you want to help players, post in stores just how much profit the state earn each year off players.NC Lottery
The lottery's profits go to education. We earned over $500 million last year. Players won $1.14 billion, 10.8% more than the year before.

3/24/2015 11:12 - PHILIP M.

Is how you manager yourself.

3/24/2015 09:15 - William D.

Boy Do I Agrreeeeeee. I know a lot of Gamblers and they are more than 3 %. I would say more like 40%. NC Lottery
The helpline for the N.C. Problem Gambling Program received 5,259 calls in FY2014. Of those, 674 callers went on to receive treatment and counseling.

3/24/2015 08:52 - ronnie s.

win

3/24/2015 05:41 - m. earl b.

you know the more i think about it i might have a problem with choices. scratch-offs or tickets. that young lady down in the south east that won the big powerball(God Bless her) was just 16ys old when i started playing and i'm still waiting. how many more 16ys will catch up and pass me. i try to stay positive but i am tired of waiting. been putting in tickets on the LZ and nothing have come of it.some people have won 3times over. i read the names. there should be a policy that if you have won within the year. you should wait one year,and give someone else a chance. that's only fare. i know that over 3ht people enter but you need to double check the names. some people stand around the trash can or get clerks to save tickets so they can have a better chance to win. there needs to be a check and balance system. come up with some improvements that will benefit ALL of us.

3/24/2015 04:20 - Ronald C.

I DO BELIEVE THAT MORE THAN 3 per cent of all gamblers have a problem.

March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month

March 24, 2015 Posted by NC Lottery at 11:47 AM

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